James McAtee's first international win for Manchester City against Slovan Bratislava | Champions League

There were suggestions here that Manchester City could struggle in Rodri's absence as they would be unable to gain the control that their number 6 often brings. However, Pep Guardiola's men still cruised to a 4-0 victory, James McAtee's 73rd-minute strike the last of them, in what was a first in club colors and sealed City's opening victory in this 36-team league phase.

Guardiola opted for Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes in central midfield to fill the Rodri gap, but City were able to release the ball cheaply in the Slovan Bratislava penalty area and be open to attack: two problems that the Spaniard's presence often hampers .

One could see that the arch-strategist took note of this and would certainly remedy the situation. However, he was delighted with the victory, which came in a place full of emotion as this stage of the competition marked the first time a Champions League game had been played.

“It's a pleasure to be manager of this team – I love it and I love them,” Guardiola said. “We have created a lot of chances and are improving step by step. So have a good night and now dinner, recover and play the last game (Fulham at the Etihad on Saturday) before the international break.”

After a light show with a baritone reciting a club anthem to thunderous applause, the actual performance began with a bar, the classic way to break up City. Jérémy Doku claimed a corner that Gündogan took from the right. Vladimir Weiss's team defended and as Phil Foden chased down the manager's son, also Vladimir Weiss, he received the ball. As he watched from the touchline, Guardiola winced as Weiss beat City's number 10 and passed the ball to Marko Tolic steered, who missed.

The home fans were thrilled by that, but not by what followed – the opening goal. City repeatedly cut the ball off, creating opportunities for Erling Haaland, who advanced down the left, and then for a flying scissor kick from Savinho. The latter was blocked, the ball bounced to a lurking Gündogan outside the Slovan penalty area: his shot landed via Kyriakos Savvidis past the helpless goalkeeper Dominik Takac.

Weiss Jnr, captain of Slovan, and Weiss Snr exchanged words, but soon their team found themselves trailing 2-0. This was touted as a mismatch and Foden, making his first start of the season against the Slovakian champions of the last six years, hinted at why with a calm finish courtesy of Doku's pass.

In a switch typical of Guardiola's ever-active brain, Doku operated on the right and Savinho on the left: an initial attack designed to eliminate the opponent, and which yielded several corners and a series of halving movements. Rico Lewis and Doku combined on the right-back's shot, Takac parried, and then the winger saw a shot bounce off the left post.

This had become an attacking exercise for City. A Foden attempt was parried onto the post by Takac and Slovan escaped again as the drummer took Slovan's lead behind the keeper's goal tifosi in endless chants. Guardiola wasn't happy with City's sloppiness, Foden was the main culprit as he lost the ball, forcing Haaland to gallop back to help, and the manager turned around and berated his coaching staff.

Foden also shot the ball wide when Haaland was available and failed as he tried to continue a sequence involving Josko Gvardiol and Lewis. But the No. 47's rust didn't matter as long as City continued to investigate.

Gündogan was next to shoot in from 19 yards out and hit the goal frame, but the crossbar denied the visiting captain his second goal as these first 45 minutes ended as they began: City tormenting the hosts and the drummer pounding.

Keeping possession of the ball against City is difficult due to the ruthlessness of their numbers-based pressing. So it was criminal that Cesar Blackman missed the chance to do so by spearing a wild crossfield ball that Kevin Wimmer couldn't stop. Guardiola also recognized the same in his men's continued vulnerability to transitions, which pointed to Rodri's absence as City were not the efficient unit that could move Slovan in continuous transitions.

The problem eased when relief came after the break that worried the Catalan. One moment Tigran Barseghyan fired near City's goal, the next moment Haaland charged at Lewis' pass, rounded Takac and coolly shot to make it 3-0, giving the Norwegian the winner. Shortly afterwards he was replaced by McAtee, and Rúben Dias came on for Manuel Akanji, the defender who took over the armband from Gündogan.

McAtee's unforgettable goal came from a pass from Foden and was a skillfully executed shot into the bottom corner. “I’m dying to score,” he said.