Heading to Cardiff on Saturday, Pep will be looking for a much better performance from the defending Champions. That said, it would be very hard for a performance to be worse from the Blues. Not many of the players who started the European fixture came out with positives, and my player ratings reflect that.
Ederson - 5.
The usually reliable keeper was not set for either goal. Of course he can be forgiven for the first, with everyone expecting Delph to be able to deal with that particular ball into the box. The second he got a bit more time to set himself for.
More disappointing for me though was his distribution, which wasn't up to his usual standards,
Walker - 5.
Didn't get up and down the wing as much as you might expect. His threat going forward was nullified by the lack of urgency of the rest of the squad. Balls sideways and backwards is never the way this side should be playing, and it doesn't suit the players we have.
Stones - 4.
Things were not right from the beginning and the back two were put under pressure from loose balls being turned over. In the attacking aspect of the game, Stones was never really a threat and that is a contrast from last season where Stones was our top European goal scorer after the first game.
Laporte - 4.
Similar story as John Stones. For the most part they were comfortable at the back, but were put under pressure unnecessarily. Attacking wise they were not a threat from set pieces and will expect more going forward.
Delph - 3.
Not sure what the Englishman was thinking with his attempt to clear the ball which led to the first goal. While it's true he wasn't the only player who was playing below par, he is the one we'll remember.
Gundogan - 3.
Not entirely sure what he was even doing on the field. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy, but he shouldn't be the one partnering David Silva. Bernardo would be my choice, aside Kevin De Bruyne, to play alongside Merlin. Substituted ten minutes after the restart was when the game started to turn.
Fernandinho- 4.
Off the boil for the game he really could benefit from competition for his place. Not saying he has become complacent, but really who could he lose his place too? Gundo? Delph? Neither covered themselves in glory last night either.
Silva - 5.
Captain for the night he wasn't as vocal as maybe he needed to be in order to get the side motivated. On a personal note he didn't inspire with his play making skills either, which is when you know you are not having a good night.
Bernardo - 6.
Love the guy, and he needs a more central role. When Gundogan went off and Sane came on, Bernardo also looked better. Yes he got the goal which gave us some reason to believe, but it was too little too late for the side as a whole.
Jesus - 3.
The Brazilian has not lit up the Premier League or the Champions League so far this season. Some City fans have taken to social media to express their feelings about him. Reactions have been that he hasn't impressed and isn't good enough for the Blues. For me the jury is still out. You have to remember he is still only 21 years old, and has had a couple of bad injuries since joining us. A good t=run in the side, and a couple of goals is all he needs.
Sterling - 5.
Talk of his stalling on a contract is not the greatest off field distraction. What is going on behind closed doors is known only by the club, the player and his agent. The fact he is still starting indicates to me that maybe the media are making more of it than there is.
Sane (sub 55) - 7.
Guy should have started for City. Just like Germany in the World Cup, we lacked pace down the wings. His introduction in the 55th minute seemed to instantly change the game, although it turned out to be too little too late.
Aguero (sub 63) - 5.
Booked for debating the referees decision only for the referee to then agree. He had a shot deflected and saved late on with the Argentinians prowess in front of goal abandoning him for the night.
Mahrez (sub 76) - 4.
Made his Manchester City Champions League debut, and made very little impact. The City fans still have yet to see the promise the Algerian came with and the performances he had for the Foxes. At some point he has to either step up his performances or be put on the sidelines as Leroy was a week or two ago.
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