There were hints here about how Manchester City could struggle in Rodri’s absence, as they were unable to gain the control that their number 6 often brings. Yet Pep Guardiola’s men still sailed to a 4-0 win, with James McAtee the last of them in the 73rd minute, a first in club colours, to seal City’s opening win in this 36-team competition.

Guardiola opted for Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes in central midfield to fill Rodri’s void, but City were able to cede possession cheaply around the Slovan Bratislava area and be open to attack: two problems that hampered the presence of the Spaniard often gets in the way.

You might see the arch strategist noticing this and he will surely find solutions. But he was delighted with the victory at a venue full of emotions, as this stage of the competition hosted a Champions League match for the first time.

“It’s a pleasure to be manager of this team. I love it and I love them,” Guardiola said. “We have created a lot of opportunities and we are improving step by step. So a good night and now eat, recover and play the last game (Fulham on Saturday at the Etihad) before the international break.”

After a light show with a baritone performing a club song to loud applause, the real action began with a counter, the classic way to break City open. Jérémy Doku claimed a corner, which Gündogan delivered from the right. Vladimir Weiss’ side defended and as Phil Foden followed the manager’s son, also Vladimir Weiss, he received the ball. Guardiola watched from the touchline as Weiss beat City’s number 10 and sent the ball to Marko Tolic, who missed.

The home fans loved this, but not what followed: the opener. City snatched possession around, creating openings for Erling Haaland to charge down the left and then for a flying scissor kick from Savinho. The latter was blocked, the ball bounced to a lurking Gündogan outside the Slovan area: his shot pinballed past the helpless goalkeeper Dominik Takac via Kyriakos Savvidis.

Weiss Jnr, Slovan’s captain, and Weiss Snr exchanged words, but soon their side were 2-0 down. This was billed as a mismatch and Foden, making his first start of the season against the Slovak champions of the past six years, suggested why with a curling finish of poise, courtesy of Doku’s pass.

With a switch typical of Guardiola’s ever-active brain, Doku operated on the right and Savinho on the left: a first intended to throw the opponent, and which produced several corners and a series of split moves. Rico Lewis and Doku combined and the right back shot, Takac saved, only for the winger to see an effort bounce off the left post.

This looked like an attacking exercise for City. Foden’s effort was parried onto the post by Takac and Slovan escaped again, with the drummer behind the keeper’s goal leading Slovan’s lead. tifosi in endless songs. Guardiola was unhappy with City’s sloppiness, with Foden the main culprit, such as when he lost the ball and forced Haaland to gallop back to help, with the manager turning to grumble at his coaching staff.

Foden also shot the ball wide when Haaland was available and made a mistake as he tried to continue a sequence involving Josko Gvardiol and Lewis. But the rustiness of the number 47 did not matter as long as City continued to investigate.

The next to aim and hit the frame of the goal was Gündogan, from 19 yards out, with the crossbar denying the visiting captain his second as these first 45 minutes ended as they began: with City tormenting their hosts and the drummer drumming.

Keeping the ball against City is difficult due to the ruthlessness of their pressing press. So Cesar Blackman sidestepping the opportunity to do this by spearing a wild ball onto the pitch that Kevin Wimmer failed to stop from going out was criminal. Guardiola saw the same in his men in the constant vulnerability to transitions, which indicated the absence of Rodri, as City were not the efficient unit that could move Slovan in continuous passages.

The issue eased when relief came after the kind of break that had concerned the Catalan. One moment Tigran Barseghyan was releasing near City’s goal, the next Haaland was slaloming onto Lewis’ pass, rounding Takac and coolly coming in to make it 3-0, which turned out to be the Norwegian’s marking. He was replaced by McAtee shortly afterwards, while Rúben Dias also came on – for Manuel Akanji, the defender who took over from Gündogan.

McAtee’s unforgettable goal came from a Foden pass and was an expertly drilled shot into the bottom corner. “Buzz to score,” he said.