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Player Ratings: Manchester City close out group stage

By J.C. Gonzalez

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) /
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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)