UCL 2019-20 | Man City vs Atalanta highlights and key moments

'Poetry in motion'. These are the words often used to describe Pep Guardiola's style of play. Guardiola's football philosophy was once again on show as Manchester City demolished visitors Atalanta by a 5-1 scoreline on Tuesday night. Raheem Sterling was the man of the match, and with good reason. The England international scored three goals in the space of 11 minutes to see Manchester City safely through to victory. Sterling's hat-trick was his fifth career hat-trick for club and country. Interestingly, four of those hat-tricks have come in his last 35 appearances since March. 

Read | Raheem Sterling Reveals Where He Keeps His Game-winning Match Balls

City, who were without Aymeric Laporte were forced to play a makeshift center-back pairing of Fernandinho and Rodri. However, Kevin de Bruyne did start for the hosts, alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden in midfield. Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling started in attack for Man City. Atalanta, meanwhile, went into the game on the back of some excellent form in Serie A. Atalanta are currently third in the Seria A table, having lost just one of their eight games in the league so far. Interestingly, Atalanta have also scored the highest number of goals in Serie A so far, netting 21 goals in eight league games. 

Read | Raheem Sterling Blasts 11-minute Treble As Man City Run Riot

Man City were guilty of starting the game slowly. The result was a penalty for Atalanta in the 28th minute. Atalanta forward Josip Ilicic tripped over the trailing leg of City's makeshift center-back Fernandinho. The referee pointed to the spot and Ruslan Malinovsky stepped up to put Atlanta ahead. The Italian side's lead, however, lasted just seven minutes. Sterling's first decisive impact came in the 34th minute when the England international clipped in a cross for Sergio Aguero. The Argentine made just enough contact to net City's equaliser. Moments later, on 38 minutes, Raheem Sterling was brought down inside the box, as the referee once again pointed to the spot, albeit at the opposite end this time. Sergio Aguero stepped up to put City ahead; a lead which they carried into the half-time break.

Read | Kylian Mbappe's Hat-trick Puts PSG In The Last-16 Driving Seat

Man City vs Atalanta: Sterling bags hat-trick

The half-time whistle must have set something off in Raheem Sterling, as the former Liverpool winger made a bright start to the second half. Some good gameplay from Kevin de Bruyne meant that Phil Foden found just enough space to set up Raheem Sterling's first for the night. Six minutes later, Sterling made a penetrating run and cut inside, before putting the ball in the back of the net to grab his second for the night. Atalanta were still reeling from the shock of conceding four goals when Riyad Mahrez played in a delightful cross for Sterling to net his third for the night. However, the game was not without its negative for Pep Guardiola, as new signing Rodri suffered a hamstring injury during the first half. It was also a night of mixed feelings for Phil Foden. The youngster enjoyed a rare start for Manchester City but was sent off for a second yellow after appearing to pull back Atalanta's Martin de Roon.

Read | UCL 2019-20: Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 Red Star Belgrade Player Ratings