BRATISLAVA, OCT 2 – With Haaland continuing to score more goals than in Champions League matches, the performance of other strikers also gave Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola more satisfaction yesterday.
Phil Foden’s performance in the Slovakian capital, with one goal, a great assist and more, was hard to ignore after returning from a long layoff after helping England reach the final of the last European Championship.
This is only the second start in all competitions for Foden, last season’s player of the year in English football. The world might see Foden at his best again.
His finish for City’s second goal with a calm, low, deflected shot into the corner was a classic type of goal from Foden.
“It’s my signature, to be honest,” Foden said. “Shooting the ball off my feet looking for a far corner.”
He also slotted past the Slovan back line for James McAtee to complete the winner on a comfortable night for the English champions.
“Happy to score again but more important to enjoy my football,” said Foden. “Happy with the result and the way I played.
“I had a very slow start to the season with a bit of illness and a bit of fatigue but I’m back now and feeling more like myself.”
Foden finished as City’s centre-forward, a role he may have to fill in Haaland’s absence given the team’s sale of back-up striker Julian Alvarez last summer.
Haaland was substituted in the 60th minute after scoring City’s third goal, taking him to 42 goals in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition.
But this time it was more about Foden who showed how important he is for City and Guardiola. – AP
