Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta: 3 reasons why the Cityzens won | UEFA Champions League 2019/20

#2 A swift response from Pep Guardiola's men

Manchester City v Atalanta - Pep Guardiola dishing out instructions

Manchester City uncharacteristically started slowly in this encounter, however, they were jolted into top gear thanks to a goal conceded in the 28th minute.

Six minutes after going behind, a Raheem Sterling lob found Sergio Aguero with just the keeper to beat, and the Argentine tapped the ball home for the equalizer. A few minutes later, Sterling was brought down in the box, and Aguero was on hand to send the ball beyond the reach of Atalanta's Pierluigi Gollini.

Aguero's quickfire first-half brace was just what the doctor ordered, and set the tone for a domineering Man City performance.

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#1 A virtuoso performance from Raheem Sterling

Manchester City v Atalanta - Raheem Sterling celebrates a goal

Raheem Sterling has been receiving plaudits all season for his breathtaking performances for club and country, and against Atalanta, his stellar class was evident for all to see. The former Liverpool man was the Italian side's tormentor in chief, as he hassled the Atalanta backline all game, providing goals as well as scoring a quickfire hattrick (11 minutes).

A few minutes after City conceded in the first-half, Sterling played an exquisite lob to Aguero for the opener. Four minutes after the equalizer, the winger was brought down in the box and was awarded a penalty which Aguero converts for his brace.

The Raheem Sterling show continued in the second half as he received a pass from Phil Foden in the 58th minute and smashed the ball into the net for his 10th goal of the season. In the 64th and 69th minutes of play, Sterling further heaped misery on City's Italian guests by completing a hattrick.

Pep Guardiola had this to say about Sterling's performance:

“He was brilliant, an incredible player. It depends on him how good he can be, but I think he has that desire to get better.”