Agüero hits hat-trick as City swat aside Mönchengladbach
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
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Sergio Agüero struck his second UEFA Champions League hat-trick in as many matches as Manchester City overpowered Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 in Group C.
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Sergio Agüero registered a second hat-trick in as many UEFA Champions League games this term as Manchester City claimed their seventh straight win of this embryonic Josep Guardiola era.
The hosts dominated the early exchanges and made home advantage count as Agüero scored twice in quick succession, the first a tap-in from close range and the second a 29th-minute spot kick after the lively Kevin De Bruyne had been tripped.
Agüero completed his treble in style after the restart, rounding Yann Sommer when clear. Kelechi Iheanacho notched a fourth in added time after combining with fellow substitute Leroy Sané.
At the other end Claudio Bravo had only two saves to make, one in each half, as Mönchengladbach struggled to break through an impressive City midfield featuring İlkay Gündoğan on his home debut.
The match was originally due to take place on Tuesday but was postponed for 24 hours due to adverse weather conditions.
Key player: Sergio Agüero
İlkay Gündoğan and Fernandinho both deserve mentions but Agüero, inevitably, takes the prize as City's hat-trick hero. His first goal was an example of his sharpness and his hunger as he was first to Aleksandar Kolarov's brilliant ball across from the left. His third strike was indicative of his cool head. He had just been foiled by Sommer but rounded him effortlessly to plunder his ninth goal from five outings this season.
Gündoğan hits the ground running
David Silva's absence would hurt any team but it is a measure of City's strength in depth that they were able to introduce debutant Gündoğan, who shone in the Spaniard's absence. The German had not played since suffering a dislocated kneecap in April but hit the ground running with a first-half display of energy and purpose, popping up in dangerous positions, drawing a couple of saves from Sommer and winning the penalty for the second goal. The hug he got from Guardiola upon leaving the field was richly deserved.
UEFA.com team reporter view
Simon Hart, Manchester City (@UEFAcomSimonH)
Guardiola said on Monday that City's efforts in his first six matches – all won – were "not enough" for a club with sights set on domestic and European titles. City will doubtless get better but for a team at the start of a new era, they are already producing some impressive football.
Their attacking quality was too much for Gladbach and they went at their opponents from the off, underlining the new intensity of a side guilty of lackadaisical football at times last term. As for André Schubert's visitors, on this evidence they will continue playing their positive football but it will not be easy in a group containing City and Barcelona.
