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.
Manchester City 3-1 Atalanta
62 minutes
Ilicic cuts inside onto his left, then back onto his right before firing a shot straight at Ederson. The ball comes back to him and he sends another low effort into the hands of the goalkeeper. He probably could have had a couple of goals tonight.
Manchester City 3-1 Atalanta
63 minutes
De Bruyne is booked for flailing an arm at Freuler, who goes to ground theatrically.
GOAL! Manchester City 4-1 Atalanta (Sterling)
64 minutes
Superb from Sterling! Gundogan picks out his run into into the box, and he cuts onto his right foot before slamming his finish inside the near post. He's at the top of his game at the moment and looks unstoppable tonight.
Manchester City 4-1 Atalanta
67 minutes
Atalanta have the ball in the net but it's ruled out for offside. Ilicic strays offside as he's played in behind the City defence.
Manchester City 4-1 Atalanta
67 minutes
Nicolas Otamendi is on for De Bruyne, whose work is done for tonight.
Manchester City 4-1 Atalanta
69 minutes
Aguero is denied a hat-trick by Gollini having latched onto a Foden pass. His shot is too close to the goalkeeper who does well to make himself big.
GOAL! Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta (Sterling)
69 minutes
Sterling isn't denied a hat-trick though! He gets on the end of a curling Mahrez cross, prodding the ball past the goalkeeper. An exceptional performance from Sterling, who keeps getting better and better.
Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta
72 minutes
Both sides make changes: Joao Cancelo replaces Mendy for City, and Hans Hateboer is on for the profligate Ilicic.
Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta
73 minutes
Close! Pasalic gets on the end of a corner and the ball almost sneaks in at the far post. Ederson does well to get down low to his right and push it away.
Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta
75 minutes
Sterling looks certain to make it four... but he misses! He breaks away from his marker and finds himself completely free, one on one with the goalkeeper. Sterling has all the time in the world to pick his spot but guides his finish wide of the far post. A strange miss for a player in such brilliant form.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments