From the opening whistle, Manchester City completely settled into the rhythm of the game.
The ball moved calmly through their backline, Rúben Dias to John Stones, Stones into Nico González, back out toward Matheus Nunes on the right flank before returning centrally again. Chelsea were not pressing aggressively in the opening minutes. Instead, Enzo Maresca's side stayed compact inside their own shape, allowing City possession while waiting for the right moment to spring forward.
"They're inviting City onto them a little here," the commentator observed as Bernardo Silva recycled another pass toward the halfway line. "Chelsea look happy to sit in that mid-block early."
"And that's dangerous," his co-commentator replied. "Because the moment you lose concentration against Guardiola's teams, they suffocate you."
City's first real opening came in the 8th minute.
