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Player ratings: City end Champions League group stage with a win

By James Fudge

Manchester City's Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Manchester City's English defender Rico Lewis (L) during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Manchester City and Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on November 2, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Manchester City's English defender Rico Lewis (L) during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Manchester City and Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on November 2, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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It was a damp Wednesday night at the Etihad as Sevilla came to England to restore some pride in their Champions League venture.

With the group positions already finalized this game had the feel of a dead rubber, especially in the first 45 minutes.

However, a tactical tweak allowing the wing backs to be more influential on the overlap proved to be the difference against a Sevilla side who are struggling in La Liga.

Rafa Mir opened the scoring for the away side with a headed goal into the far corner after being unmarked, so much so, you would have thought it was a late Halloween ghost.

The second half saw the introduction of more first-names on the team sheet and the difference really shone through from the first half. A goal from Rico Lewis was certainly the highlight, along with Julian Alvarez contributing to all three goals.

Our Laura nearly channeled her inner Pep again as she predicted several correct choices in her lineup predictions.

Starting XI: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan (c), Palmer, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez