Sporting CP vs Man City: A Tale of Two Halves
So, you wanna know about that Sporting CP vs Man City game, huh? Let's be honest, we all wanted to see the Citizens steamroll everyone, right? But Sporting CP, they threw a wrench in the works, especially in the first half. They were like a pesky fly, buzzing around City and making it tough to get going.
The First Half: A Sporting Surprise
Man City was all about possession, passing the ball around like it was a game of keep-away. But Sporting CP, they were super organized, pressing high and making City uncomfortable. They had the lead too, after a deflected shot snuck past Ederson in the 15th minute. It was a true "against the run of play" moment, and Man City looked flustered.
The Second Half: City's Dominance
But, you know, you just can't keep a team like Man City down for too long. The second half was a different story. Pep Guardiola's squad, they started pressing and moving the ball with more pace. The equalizer came from none other than Kevin De Bruyne, a beautiful strike from outside the box.
Then, the floodgates opened. Mahrez with a goal, Foden with another, and the Portuguese side were on the ropes. The final score? 0-4 to City, a scoreline that doesn't really reflect how close the first half was.
The Key Stats
- Possession: Man City had 72% of the ball, a clear sign of their control.
- Shots: Man City outshot Sporting CP 18-12.
- Passes: City, like we said, loves passing, completing 685 passes compared to Sporting's 280.
- Key Passes: De Bruyne was the maestro, with 4 key passes.
- Goals: Mahrez, Foden, and Bernardo Silva also got on the scoresheet.
The Takeaway
It was a game of two halves. Sporting CP played with heart and grit, giving City a run for their money in the first half. But Man City, well, they're a team built for dominance, and once they found their rhythm, they were unstoppable. This was a statement win, showing that City is not to be messed with in the Champions League.