MX23RW : Monday, November 4 23:27:40| >> :120:10268:10268:
[monks data]
Attendance: 29,385
Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 11, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-4

Olmo (10')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Jesus (34', 50', 54'), Foden (84')

Gabriel Jesus eager to keep scoring streak going after "special" hat-trick

Gabriel Jesus eager to keep scoring streak going after
© Reuters
Gabriel Jesus has now struck five times in three matches

Gabriel Jesus struck a "special" hat-trick as Manchester City wrapped up their Champions League group campaign with a convincing 4-1 win at Dinamo Zagreb.

Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet as City responded strongly to a stunning early strike from Dani Olmo on a freezing night at the Maksimir Stadium in Croatia.

After an eight-game scoring drought, Jesus has now struck five times in three matches since stepping into the side for the injured Sergio Aguero.

"It's special," the Brazil striker told BT Sport. "When I was young, I'd think about the Champions League. I wanted to play, I wanted to score, I wanted the ball.

"For me it's a very special moment when I score goals and a hat-trick as well."

With uncertainty over when Aguero will return from a thigh problem, Jesus could continue leading the line for this weekend's Premier League trip to Arsenal.

Jesus said: "I have to do my job, my job is to score goals and help the team, without the ball and with the ball.

"Last month I was not scoring and I feel so bad because I have to score and help my team-mates.

"Now the goals are coming so I'm so happy but I cannot stop – I have to keep scoring."

City had already qualified for the last 16 as group winners but the victory ensured they finished unbeaten with 14 points.

Guardiola made eight changes from the side beaten by Manchester United last weekend. Some were through necessity with John Stones injured and Fernandinho suspended but others allowed the likes of Raheem Sterling – who did appear as a late substitute – Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker a rest.

Guardiola said: "We didn't play for points, we played for ourselves. It was important to finish in that way, and with no injuries or yellow cards.

"We will now focus on the Premier League and other competitions and see in what condition we are when we arrive in February."

The other stand-out performance came from 19-year-old Foden, who also provided an assist as he took advantage of a rare start in the absence of David Silva.

Guardiola said: "He was so good. When he plays close to the box he can attack central defenders and he's incredibly dangerous. He played really well."

Dinamo had gone into the game harbouring hopes of reaching the knockout stages but, with Atalanta beating Shakhtar Donetsk, the defeat sent them bottom to the bottom of the group.

ID:382594: cacheID:382594:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6945:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Phil Jones in action with Astana's Roman Murtazayev in the Europa League on September 19, 2019
Read Next:
Sterling mocks Jones after Man City beat Dinamo Zagreb
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Aston Villa33009
2Liverpool33009
3Man City32107
4B. Leverkusen32107
5Brest32107
6Inter Milan32107
7Monaco32107
8Sporting Lisbon32107
9Arsenal32107
10Real Madrid32016
11Lille32016
12Feyenoord32016
13Barcelona32016
14Dortmund32016
15Benfica32016
16Juventus32016
17Atalanta31205
18Stuttgart31114
19Sparta Prague31114
20PSG31114
21Celtic31114
22Dinamo Zagreb31114
23AC Milan31023
24Bayern31023
25Girona31023
26Brugge31023
27Atletico31023
28PSV30212
29Bologna30121
30Shakhtar30121
31RB Leipzig30030
32Sturm Graz30030
33Salzburg30030
34Red Star30030
35Young Boys30030
36Slovan Bratislava30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!