PEP GUARDIOLA may not think Manchester City are ready to win the Champions League – but Raheem Sterling is on a mission to prove him wrong.
The England ace made the difference with a goal and an assist in the game against Dinamo Zagreb earlier this month.
Here he scored a devastating 11 minute second half hat-trick to blow away the Italian upstarts – who had threatened to cause an upset.
And if that wasn’t enough, the 24-year-old had a hand in two first goals for Sergio Aguero – who must have thought he was set for another match-ball.
Sterling’s dazzling show means City are now within touching distance of reaching the knock-out stages for a seventh successive year.
Despite Guardiola’s reservations and their problems in this competition, you can be sure not many teams will fancy drawing them.
The win did come at a cost though – as Rodri appeared to pull a hamstring to become the latest player on the Etihad treatment table.
And Phil Foden – who was handed a rare start by the manager – saw red late on for a second yellow card as he pulled back Marten de Roon.
Once again, Guardiola had opted to go without a recognised centre back – as Fernandinho did the honours with Rodri sitting just in front of him early on.
John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi were both back in the squad – but could only earn a place on the bench.
There was, however, a start for midfield hope Foden, who came off the bench to score a late second in the last game against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Serie A side had lost both their opening group matches but were getting some joy against City’s makeshift defence.
A cross from the right by Robin Gosens was met by the on-rushing Timothy Castange but his header flashed over the bar.
Aguero came to life though and his shot from the edge of the box was tipped round the post by the fingertips of Pierluigi Gollini.
Then Foden brilliantly jinked his way in down the right and pulled back for Aguero who skied his shot over the bar.
Just as City seemed to be getting a foothold in the game, the visitors took the lead.
Ilcic was upended by the Brazilian right in the corner of the penalty box as he tried to go round the Brazilian and the israeli referee pointed to the spot.
Ruslan Malinovksyi sent Ederson the wrong way from the spot – and City had conceded for the first time in this season’s competition.
What a moment for the Champions League new boys and their noisy 2700 strong travelling army.
Yet the lead last only six minutes as Sterling wriggled his way into space and scooped over a cross from the left – and Aguero got ahead of his marker and nudged the ball past Gollini.
And four minutes later the tables had been turned as Sterling skipped into the box and was clipped by Andrea Masiello.
Aguero grabbed the ball and sent his spot-kick low to Gollini’s right to score his 10th goal of the season – and the home side were ahead.
The home fans were still celebrating when their team suffered another set-back as Rodri felt his hamstring as he tackled Alejandro Gomez.
Guardiola looked angry as he asked Stones to get stripped off – maybe because the England man wasn’t ready – or just the frustration of losing another key man to injury.
With Aymeric Laporte, Leroy Sane and Alex Zinchenko already on the treatment table, it was the last thing Pep needed.
It needed a reshuffle but City were not knocked out of their stride and within 15 minutes of the restart they seemed to have the game wrapped up.
Riyad Mahrez played a clever ball down the right to send Kevin de Bruyne away in space.
He pulled it back for Foden who unselfishly squared it for Sterling to lash the ball into the roof of the net.
And the England ace did not have to wait long for his next goal as some neat build up play ended with Ilkay Gundogan finding him in space.
Sterling turned inside Rafael Toloi before firing a shot low into the corner – to make it 10 for the season for him too.
Both Aguero and Sterling were now chasing the match-ball and the Argenine had the first chance but was denied by Gollini.
Atalanta failed to clear their lines though and when Mahrez chipped the ball back in, Sterling sprang the offside trap and poked it past the visiting keeper.
Sterling could even have made it four as he found himself clean through and with almost too much time but placed his shot wide of the post.
The game ended on a disappointing note as Foden – who had been so full of energy – pulled back de Roon after earlier being booked for a foul on Malinovksyi.
