\n<\/p>\n
Juve will have taken a psychological knock even before kick-off, seeing the name of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri on the team sheet – it was the 29-year-old’s first start since sustaining a serious knee injury against Arsenal nine months ago.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard managed 65 minutes and showed why he is so integral to this City team, displaying his assuredness in the middle of the park with a metronomic performance, completing a total of 67 passes.<\/p>\n
By the time he left the pitch, only defender Ruben Dias (84) had more touches on the ball than Rodri’s 79, highlighting the importance of controlling the game.<\/p>\n
“Everyone knows how important is Rodri,” said Guardiola. “He is one of the best players in the world. I am happy he had a good 60 minutes and he can help us a lot. <\/p>\n
“Last season we couldn’t do it for the injuries. This season we can have players fit and try to perform similar to today.”<\/p>\n
Guardiola said a lengthy injury list derailed last season but against Juve he had an almost entirely fit squad to select from, barring the injured Claudio Echeverri.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Phil Foden were all on the scoresheet as City racked up 13 goals in their three group stage games.<\/p>\n
“The forward play and the goals Man City score is fantastic,” said Given. “When they won the title four times in a row we thought these guys were robots.<\/p>\n
“Even Pep mentions ‘we have got our mojo back’. We have got the Man City back, which we all thought was automatic.<\/p>\n
“It shows us that they are just human beings.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n