Manchester City picked up their first win in the Champions League last night and Rio Ferdinand was left very impressed by one player in particular.
City beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on what was a very comfortable night.
Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling haaland and James McAtee were all on target for City in Slovakia.
Gundogan got his first goal for City since returning on a free transfer in the summer, with Foden also opening his account for the season. McAtee’s goal was his first for the first-team.
In truth, it could have been eight or nine for City, who totally dominated from start to finish.
And one man who was at the heart of everything, and not for the first time this season, was Rico Lewis.
Rio Ferdinand hails Rico Lewis as Man City demolish Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League
City cruised to victory last night and the game rather went how most people expected.
Slovan could just not get out of their own half, and were lucky to only lose 4-0, with City squandering a host of big chances.
It was a good night for Jeremy Doku, who grabbed an assist for Foden and tormented full-back Kevin Wimmer for most of the night, leaving TNT commentator Ally McCoist mesmerised.
Foden was also very good, as was Gundogan.
But there was yet another top display from Lewis, who spent most of the game pushing up high and moving inside, as we have seen plenty of times so far this season.
Lewis grabbed an assist himself for Haaland, meaning he has now surpassed Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford’s tally in the competition.
After the game, TNT pundit Ferdinand heaped praise on the City academy graduate.
He said: “He’s one of the players who’ll be sitting there saying ‘I can do it’ (play in midfield). He looks really, really comfortable in those positions.
“He’s different. He’s not really someone who’s going to bring you an intricate pass, even though we see a good pass later on for Haaland’s goal. Lewis is more someone who (has) movement, and awareness of people around him, and he can travel with the ball. He’s so dynamic, that he creates a lot of havoc with those little movements.”
Lewis absolutely thriving
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
2024/25 now looks to be the season that Lewis will blossom for City.
Over the past two seasons we have seen his quality but this term, Lewis has taken his game to another level.
He now looks totally comfortable in this team and operating in what is genuinely a very complex role.
It is remarkable to think he is still only 19. He plays with such intelligence and maturity, and he just looks like one of the other, more experienced players.
It is clear how much Pep Guardiola loves him. He has praised Lewis several times now in interviews and it looks as though he will only improve further having gained the manager’s full trust.
