Sterling the key man as Pep finds way to break Dinamo deadlock
IF this was an attempt to seduce Man City fans into the charms of the Champions League it was nearer a bag of chips and a walk home than it was champagne and roses.
But against a side in Dinamo Zagreb intent on stifling and smothering, it was also job done as Pep Guardiola’s side moved top of Group C.
Raheem Sterling provided the breakthrough, getting on the end of a neat move to hammer the ball home 10 minutes after coming on as substitute.
Phil Foden slammed in a late second in injury time to confirm the result.
As is so often the case, City might have scored a hatful on another night but had to be content with edging a contest in which only one side were intent on playing.
Guardiola had empathised this week with supporters who value the cut and thrust of Premier League action over the group stages in Europe. And it is hard to think of a top-flight side who would shut up shop quite like this.
Last night was always going to be a slow burner against a team likely to try and eke out a point to add to their surprise opening 4-0 victory over Atalanta.
Such limited ambition became apparent early with five strung across a back line, nine behind the ball for the most part, and centre-backs in danger of standing on the goalkeeper’s laces.
Yet few teams are better equipped to thread their way through congestion than the Premier League champions for all that it was painstaking stuff.
Sergio Aguero was lively, getting himself into several promising positions, notably when attempting to round Zagreb keeper Dominik Livakovic after 13 minutes only to have his shot smothered.
Bernardo Silva volleyed just wide a couple of minutes later and David Silva hooked a Benjamin Mendy cross just wide of the post from six yards out in the 23rd minute. In between Ilkay Gundogan went closest to breaking the deadlock, slamming a shot against the bar after a clever dummy from Riyad Mahrez.
City found things no easier after Guardiola’s half-time team talk, the final ball lacking, one touch taken too many and the massed fluorescent yellow shirts like a wall.
Just short of the hour mark Guardiola had seen enough and sent on Sterling, his best locksmith, to open Zagreb’s back door. Within six minutes Sterling had done the job.
Rodri provided the through ball to Mahrez, darting toward the left by-line, and his swift cutback was buried high by Sterling from inside the six-yard area.
Sterling had a penalty appeal waved away shortly after when Petar Stojanovic’s clumsy challenge got the ball but upended him. Guardiola was booked for his protests. Sterling turned provider in injury time, slipping in Foden who hit home from the angle, a goal which confirmed dominance on a workmanlike night.
MAN CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, Rodri, D Silva (Foden 90); Bernardo (Sterling 56), Aguero (Jesus 89), Mahrez. Goals:
Sterling 66, Foden 90.
DINAMO ZAGREB (5-3-2):
LIvakovic; Stojanovic, TheophileCatherine (Gavranovic 76), Dilaver, Peric, Leovac; Moro, Ademi, Dani Olmo; Orsic (Gojak 62), Petkovic (Atiemwenat 84).