'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Kevin De Bruyne continues to provide Manchester City's creative thrust
With Manchester City dominating most of the game, it was no surprise that Kevin De Bruyne was at the heart of it. The Belgian playmaker was instrumental in controlling the tempo of the game, leaving Marseille very little room to manoeuvre in midfield as he dictated play.
Trending
De Bruyne's assists in the UEFA Champions League are so frequent that they almost seem routine now. Yet he still managed to take one's breath away with both of his assists tonight. One was a perfectly weighted cross disguised as a shot and the other came after a trademark intelligent run into space.
De Bruyne's words at the end of last season's disappointing loss to Lyon are still fresh in the memory. However, if he continues to perform like he did against Marseille, the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and beyond beckon for Manchester City.
#2 Andre Villas Boas faces some tough questions
Marseille started the season with a bang but have lost their way since then, with the COVID-19 lockdown wreaking havoc with Andre Villas Boas' plans. Yet, there was no sympathy to be had against Manchester City for the Portuguese manager, especially when he decided to cede control to City with a defensive formation.
The Champions League group phase is the ideal stage for a club to give it a proper go, so Villas Boas' conservatism was a bit unfortunate to witness, and it played right into Pep Guardiola's hands.
Marseille now face a tough task to get out of the group. In their next outing, they will hope not to equal a horrible losing record in the competition.
#1 The Champions League offered Pep Guardiola some much-needed respite
For most of his career as a Manchester City manager, the UEFA Champions League has proved to be the source of plenty of misery for Pep Guardiola. Yet, for once, City's Champions League performances have been free and flowing - much unlike what was seen against West Ham United.
It's no secret that this is the competition Pep Guardiola craves to win, and perhaps his luck is turning around. Guardiola's teams do not seem shackled in Europe, and barring another spell of the Spanish tactician overthinking his formation, City should comfortably top the group and go deep in the competition.
