Manchester City vs Atalanta LIVE result: Raheem Sterling triples up in Champions League thumping
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Raheem Sterling scored an 11-minute hat-trick and had a hand in all five goals as Manchester City came from behind to thump Italian side Atalanta 5-1 in their Champions League Group C encounter on Tuesday.
Forward Sergio Aguero also scored two in the first half at the City of Manchester Stadium, but England winger Sterling was the star of the show as the home side made it three wins from three to open up a five-point lead at the midway point of the pool.
Atalanta have now lost all three of their group matches in their debut season in the Champions League, but started brightly and had the lead via a Ruslan Malinovsky penalty.
City were ruthless in their response though and drove forward. They finished the game with 10 men after teenager Phil Foden received a second yellow card on 83 minutes.
PA
Here is everything you need to know.
When is it?
Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday 22nd October.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Subscribers to BT Sport can watch the game online or on mobile via the BT Sport player and BT Sport app.
Team news
Manchester City might welcome back John Stones to their lineup, with the fit again centre half set to reinforce a problem area. He could partner Nicolas Otamendi, who is over the issue that caused him to miss the Crystal Palace game.
Kyle Walker may be available, too, while Fernandinho could be rested after a busy couple of months as emergency cover in central defence. Phil Foden could feature as he presses for more game time.
Predicted line-up
Manchester City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling.
Odds
Manchester City: 2/9
Draw: 6/1
Atalanta: 12/1
Prediction
Manchester City should have the quality to beat the Italians, but Atalanta are better than their first two Champions League results suggest.
Expect a relatively open game, with Manchester City prevailing 4-2.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Atalanta (Aguero)
34 minutes
That didn't take long! Sterling is the creator, cutting inside cleverly and curling an inch-perfect cross to the back post. Aguero's movement is typically intelligent, and allows him to simply guide the ball past the goalkeeper from a few yards out. An impressive response from City.
Manchester City 1-1 Atalanta
37 minutes
City have still not addressed the problem of Gosens, who's again picked out in space on the left. His ball in is just too heavy for the players waiting in the box, but it's another chance for Atalanta.
Manchester City 1-1 Atalanta
38 minutes
City go up the other end and Sterling is hacked down in the box. A chance for Aguero to double his tally for the evening...
GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta (Aguero)
38 minutes
Aguero makes no mistake! He slams his penalty low into the bottom left corner. City lead.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
40 minutes
Rodri misreads a long ball and allows Gomez to race in behind. The stand-in defender does well to recover from his error but injures himself in the process. It looks like it could be a pulled hamstring, which means more defensive problems for Guardiola.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
41 minutes
Rodri hobbles off, then, and he's replaced by John Stones.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
42 minutes
Now Fernandinho goes to ground, clutching his head after clattering into an Atalanta player. He's okay to continue, though.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
44 minutes
A brilliant, flowing move, ends with De Bruyne slipping a pass through to Sterling, who can't quite guide the ball past Gollini. From the resulting corner, the ball drops to Walker, who hits a low shot and draws another strong save from the goalkeeper.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments