ŠK Slovan Bratislava suffered a significant defeat in their second match of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, losing 0-4 at home to Manchester City on October 1, 2024. This match marked their first home game in the group stage and showcased the challenge of competing against one of Europe's elite teams.
The match began poorly for Slovan, who found themselves trailing 0-2 within the first 15 minutes. Despite their struggles, goalkeeper Dominik Takáč made several crucial saves, preventing a larger deficit as City dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities.
Manchester City added two more goals in the second half, solidifying their victory. After the match, Slovan's coach, Vladimír Weiss Sr., acknowledged the quality of the opposition, admitting he had never faced a team of such caliber before. Former Slovak international Stanislav Šesták remarked that Slovan did their best but ultimately faced overwhelming dominance from City.
Experts noted that the pivotal moment of the match came when Erling Haaland scored City's third goal just before the hour mark. Despite the loss, the atmosphere at Tehelné pole received praise, with fans creating an encouraging environment for their team.
Slovan Bratislava will next compete in the Champions League on October 22 against Girona, followed by a home match against Dinamo Zagreb on November 5. The upcoming matches promise to be challenging as they continue to navigate the prestigious tournament.