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Manchester City cruise past Galatasaray in Champions League
Manchester City booked their place in the last 16 with a composed and authoritative performance against Galatasaray, easing the anxiety created by last week’s surprise setback at Bodo/Glimt. Pep Guardiola’s side responded with clarity and control, dictating tempo and territory from the outset.
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First-half control
City should have led inside three minutes when Erling Haaland headed Rayan Ait-Nouri’s pinpoint cross wide from close range. The striker quickly corrected that lapse, timing his run onto Jeremy Doku’s through ball and lifting a delicate finish over Ugurcan Cakir to end his barren run in open play.
Doku influence
Doku was central to everything positive. After Nico O’Reilly’s long-range effort was tipped over, the winger teed up Rayan Cherki to smash home a second on the half-hour. Having assisted both goals, Doku was forced off on 37 minutes.
Goalkeeping resistance
Galatasaray threatened through Victor Osimhen, but Gianluigi Donnarumma denied both a flicked header and a low drive, preserving City’s comfortable margin.
