Manchester City 4-1 Real Madrid: 5 Talking points

Manchester City put in a stunning performance to completely dismantle the Champions League winners Real Madrid 4-1 in the International Champions Cup clash at Los Angeles. New signings Ederson, Walker and Danilo all had an impressive game for the Citizens while Madrid's squad looked jaded throughout the match and failed to muster any kind of real threat to the City goal.

For Manchester City, Otamendi, Sterling, Stones and Brahim Diaz were on the scoresheet while youngster Oscar Rodriguez scored a stunning consolation goal for Real Madrid.

Although it is just a pre-season match, there are still plenty of things to be learnt and we look at the 5 talking points from Manchester City's 4-1 thrashing of Real Madrid:

#1 Aguero and Jesus can play together

Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were impressive together in the first half

Ever since the arrival of Gabriel Jesus to Manchester City, Sergio Aguero's role in the starting lineup under Guardiola has come under the scanner. Undoubtedly one of Manchester City's greatest ever players, Aguero was shockingly relegated to the bench in favour of Gabriel Jesus by the Spanish manager last season.

However, in today's match, the duo started together and looked lively right from the get go. The Argentine found Jesus with ease and their runs usually complimented each other very well. Guardiola has time and again spoken about finding a way to make both Aguero and Jesus play together and based on today's performance, the former Barcelona manager might employ it more often this season.

Although all of City's 4 goals came in the second half after Aguero's substitution, it must be noted that the first half team of Real Madrid varied greatly from the second half and both Aguero and Jesus were unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet themselves.

#2 Isco is ready to step up and become Madrid's key player this season

Isco showed his class today against Manchester City

There were not many positives for Real Madrid tonight, but if there was one player who had a faultless performance, it was Isco. The 25-year-old Spanish playmaker oozed class and was comfortably the best player on the pitch in the first half. Although the scoreline might indicate a comfortable margin of victory for the Premier League side, the game was on a knife edge until the second half.

Showing excellent control, dribbling ability and vision, Isco looked like the most likely candidate to open the scoring and the Spaniard regularly cut open the City defence with his incisive through balls. Had Benzema finished better, the story of this match could have been very different.

Last season, Isco showed his class with his performances in the second half of the season and going by his display today, he might just end up becoming Real Madrid's most important player this season.

#3 Manchester City seem to have finally solved their full-back problems

Kyle Walker did an excellent job in keeping the likes of Gareth Bale and Benzema quiet

Manchester City have spent over £100 million on full-backs and while their transfer strategy might have been criticised in some sections, both Walker and Danilo showed what they could bring to Manchester City. The world's most expensive right-back, Walker looked full of energy and pace even outgunning Gareth Bale in a sprint.

Danilo, on the other hand, playing in an unfamiliar left-back position gave an excellent account of himself and showed what Real Madrid could miss this season. Tenacious, full of stamina and good on the ball, the Brazilian fullback definitely had a satisfactory debut and Guardiola will be pleased by what his fullbacks brought to the game today.

Not afraid of going forward and capable of defending solidly, Walker's and Danilo's performances would have perhaps satisfied the Spanish manager the most. The trio of Walker, Danilo and Mendy will definitely add a different dimension to the City side and make them from a very good team to a great one.

#4 Real Madrid need to buy attacking talent in this transfer window

Karim Benzema was not at his best today

Real Madrid might be one of the most free scoring sides in the world, but Zidane definitely needs to invest in some more attacking talent this transfer window. At the moment, Karim Benzema is the only senior striker in the team and with his form questionable in the last few months, the All Whites will need a quality backup option.

The departure of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea has left Zidane short of a quality number 9 and with Borja Mayoral not quite at that level, the Frenchman definitely needs to spend some big money in the coming weeks. Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu and after today's display, his signing will have become all the more imperative for Zidane and Perez.

Alvaro Morata played a huge role in Madrid's title win last season and replacing him soon will be a priority as Madrid looked woefully short of firepower after Benzema was replaced in the second half.

#5 Manchester City's future is bright

City youngster Brahim Diaz scored an absolute worldie today

Manchester City might not have had the best of seasons in 2016/17, but the performances today from Sterling, Brahim Diaz and John Stones would have left the blue half of Manchester happy and content. Much was made out of City spending heavily on Sterling and John Stones, but there is no denying the talent the duo possess and they showed how good they can be when they are on the top of the game.

Also, City have invested heavily in their elite development squad (Academy) and one of their shining lights, Brahim Diaz just showed what he is capable of today when he scored a wonderful goal from 25-yards out. City have a good mixture of youth and experience in their squad and with Bernardo Silva waiting on the wings, Guardiola is all set to mastermind a long period of success at the Etihad.

The likes of Sterling, Sane, Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Mendy, Brahim Diaz, Stones and Ederson are all under 25. With their best yet to come, City under Guardiola are well on their way to sustained success.