English Champions, Manchester City were on impressive in Ukraine as they defeated Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday by 3 goals to nothing, regardless of their defensive injury crisis.
City boss Pep Guardiola was forced to deploy Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back after losing Aymeric Laporte and John Stones to recent injuries.
But Fernandinho slotted in comfortably at the back as City easily subdued Shakhtar with first-half goals from Riyad Mahrez (24′) and Ilkay Gundogan (38′) at the Metalist Stadium.
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Gabriel Jesus netted City’s third goal in the closing stages to ensure they made the long flight home with three points stowed away.
There was more good news for Guardiola as French defender Benjamin Mendy, on as a late substitute, made his first appearance since April after returning from a knee injury.
With Dinamo Zagreb and Atalanta making up Champions League Group C, City are expected to cruise into the last 16.
This mature performance was the perfect opening to their bid to win the Champions League for the first time, especially coming after Saturday’s shock 3-2 defeat at Norwich in the Premier League.
City have failed to get past the quarter-finals in Guardiola’s previous three seasons in charge, while the Spaniard hasn’t won the tournament since the second of his two titles with Barcelona in 2011.
