Manchester City 2 Dinamo Zagreb 0

There are few Champions League games which are this jeopardy free.

Every year when Manchester City are in the draw for the Champions League I want us to draw the easiest possible teams we can, so it seems churlish to now be writing about how easy the games are and somewhat subdued as a consequence.

Dinamo Zagreb were a side high on endeavour, willing and able to run and work hard. They lacked the cutting edge and quality to challenge City in any meaningful way during the 90 minutes, but nevertheless presented as a solid and organised side.

Their team of tall defenders did well to sustain their shape despite the best efforts of our side to try and pull them around to create space. City probed throughout but many of the attempts were half hearted, as though the players were feeling the same as the fans in trying to muster the enthusiasm to attack.

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Zagreb gave away possession a number of times in the game, more than I have seen any side do at the Etihad for a number of seasons. I had the distinct impression that in their own League there are probably unlikely to be punished for doing the same, but City seized on every opportunity they could.

Guardiola had sprung few surprises in his line up. Naming Cancelo and Mendy as the full backs, starting Bernardo over Sterling and allowing David Silva to continue in his midfield role appeared as the major decisions.

City had Bernardo on the left, ostensibly to support the forays of Mendy. The arrangement did not always work and Mendy whipped in many crosses, none of which were really aimed with any precision. His movement appeared laboured at times as though his performance was restricted by fear, but he got the full 90 minutes which is probably the best we could have hoped for.

City had plenty of shots at goal but the finishing was uniformly poor. Bernardo looked unable to hit a barn door and Ilkay Gundogan kept up his impressive wayward shots ratio. Even Sergio Aguero fluffed his lines in front of goal.

Of course somewhere along the line City were denied several clear penalties, for a blatant hand ball and fouls on Aguero and Gundogan. But the referee seemed to be under orders not to award anything to City.

Midway through the second half and Guardiola shuffled his pack and brought on Sterling for Bernardo. Immediately this seemed to change the game.

Up until this point we had dominated the ball and created chances by moving slowly side ways across the pitch and then whipping in crosses where our diminutive players battled their giants for a sight of the ball. All along we had been urging our team to run at their defence and with Sterling on we did that.

Sterling bobbled into a Mahrez cross and forced the ball home. In injury time at the end of the half he was released in a fast counter attacking move and passed the ball to Phil Foden who coolly finished.

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In the end this result was good enough for us. Let us just hope that in the days to come we spend some time on shooting practice.

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