Slovan Bratislava had played eight games in qualifying before reaching the Champions League proper for the first time in their history and they were keen to enjoy having the reigning Premier League champions in town.

There was a big light show before kick-off, with fans dancing and singing in the stands the whole time, and they could have had a dream start when Marko Tolic fired a shot just wide of the far post.

But that was for the best for the hosts as they spent the rest of the game trying in vain to stop City's onslaught of attack.

For the visitors, it was as comfortable as they could have hoped, with coach Pep Guardiola causing a stir with six changes.

And the big positive was the goals and performances from Gündogan and Foden.

Midfielder Gündogan, who turns 34 later this month, could play a bigger role this season than was perhaps expected after Rodri's season-ending injury, and was in line for the treble for the first time since the victorious 2023 Champions League final secured, captain of the team.

After returning to the club after a season at Barcelona, ​​he got the ball rolling with a deflected strike – his first for City since their 2023 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United – and could have had more as he did too the woodwork hit and parried a nice save from Takac.

Foden, meanwhile, will be hoping his goal and assist will get the season started.

Due to injuries and illness, the England midfielder has struggled to get off the ground so far this season and has been on the bench in four of his last five games.

But Guardiola had backed him to get good and while it wasn't the biggest test for him, there were signs of last season's Foden when he scored 27 goals in all competitions.