Player Ratings: Manchester City close out group stage

Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (L) celebrates after he scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 6 group C football match between Manchester City and Marseille at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (L) celebrates after he scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 6 group C football match between Manchester City and Marseille at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City finished off a cozy group stage in the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Marseille.

Manchester City’s final group stage game meant very little for the home side, while Marseille had little to play for other than a potential spot in the Europa League for finishing third. Nevertheless, City took the lead and never let their foot off the pedal as they pulled off a dominant 3-0 win.

Defense

Zack Steffen (GK): Faced some pressure on his goal, and coped well to hold out for a Champions League clean sheet. (7)

Kyle Walker (RB): Covered well for the team and helped keep organization when Marseille came forward. (6.5)

Eric García (CB): Came off early with an injury and saw more action for John Stones, which may prevent him from being in contention for the Manchester Derby. (6)

Aymeric Laporte (CB): Looked good, but not spectacular, on his return to the side, and made his case to start the Derby. (7)

Nathan Aké (LB): His return to the side came in a different position, but one of the best aspects of this signing was versatility, which he showed effectively today, adding an assist to his name. (7.5)

Midfield

Fernandinho (CDM): Has looked really solid in midfield since his return from injury, and helped shield City to another clean sheet today, even without Dias. (7.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Taken off at half-time seemingly for rotational purposes, it was another comfortable day in midfield for the German. (6.5)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): Another fine performance featuring creativity and running, but the end product just has not quite been there in terms of goals and assists. (7.5)

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Attack

Riyad Mahrez (RW): Maybe not the highs from the Algerian we saw against Burnley and Fulham, but he played a big role in Torres’ opener. (7.5)

Ferran Torres (ST): A great first-time finish from a player who really brings something different to this team. He’s young, clinical, and highly skilled. What a signing. (8)

Phil Foden (LW): Whipped in the corner that led to City’s second, though his influence waned during some spells. (7)

Substitutes

John Stones (CB): What a turnaround. Perhaps the opposition hasn’t been the greatest, but he has simply outplayed Aymeric Laporte this season, an unthinkable idea a year ago, and deserves to start the Derby. Fitness may be a concern, however, with his recent run of games. (8)

Sergio Agüero (ST): He’s back, and grabbed his goal. It may have been a tap-in, but seeing the club’s all-time leading goalscorer back on the scoresheet is an exciting sign. (7.5)

Raheem Sterling (LW): Came on late and grabbed the icing on the cake with a simple finish for the third. (7.5)