The morning after the Liverpool match was calm. No alarms. No team meetings. No tactical breakdowns. Just silence, sunlight, and a chance to breathe.
Manchester City's players had been given the day off by Manuel Pellegrini. The win at Anfield was convincing—dominant, even—but the manager didn't want to fuel any early complacency. Instead, he let the squad recover, mentally and physically. The long season had just begun.
Adriano spent the morning at his Mansion in central Manchester. The place was modern and stylish by footballer standards, sleek and modern, with light wood flooring and tall windows overlooking the skyline. It was quiet inside, save for the soft hum of coffee brewing and the occasional clink of plates from the kitchen.
His parents, Rosa and Julio Riveiro, had stayed over after the match. They didn't speak much about the game—not out of disinterest, but because they'd learned not to crowd moments like these. They sat together at the small dining table, eating a simple lunch of grilled chicken, rice, and salad.
Rosa set down her fork. "You slept well honey?"
Adriano nodded. "First time in weeks I didn't wake up thinking about tactics."
Julio smirked. "Must be the goals. They help you sleep better?"
"Helps knowing we played as a team," Adriano said, keeping his tone even.
His mother smiled. She could see it—he was excited, proud, but not lost in it. That mattered more to her than any hat trick.
After lunch, they moved to the living room. Julio put on a Portuguese news channel and dozed off on the couch. Rosa scrolled through her phone, occasionally reading out messages from family back in Portugal—cousins, old neighbors, even his childhood coach, all sending congratulations.
Adriano didn't say much. He appreciated the love, but he was trying to keep his head clear. Too much noise, even praise, could cloud judgment.
Around six in the evening, after his parents had left for a stroll in the city, Adriano settled on the couch with a water bottle and unlocked his phone.
One missed call. Kate.
He smiled. She'd probably be wrapping up work by now.
He FaceTimed her, and within seconds, her face filled the screen.
"Hey, superstar," she said, grinning. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, her face fresh from makeup removal, and she wore a plain white hoodie. Behind her, a busy dressing room could be seen in soft focus—crew members moving around, lights being packed up, muted conversations.
"You look tired," Adriano said.
Kate made a face. "We just wrapped. Long day. Same explosion scene from four angles. I think I'm deaf in one ear."
Adriano chuckled. "That's the glamorous life, huh?"
"Don't be smug," she said. "You just scored a hat trick at Anfield and walked off to a standing ovation. I had to jump through a sugar glass window in three-inch boots."
"Sounds harder."
"It was."
There was a pause. Then she smiled again, more gently this time.
"Seriously, though. You should've seen the madness here after the match. People were watching the highlights in the cafeteria. Two groups were arguing over whether your third goal was luck or genius. Some said it was both."
Adriano leaned back, resting his head on the sofa.
"Felt like instinct. Sergio's flick, the timing—it just lined up."
Kate studied his face for a moment. "You okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Just… taking it in. Feels strange. Yesterday I was just a rising star. Today everyone's talking like I'm the next big thing."
She tilted her head. "They're not wrong."
"That's not the point."
"I know. You don't want to believe the hype."
"Or get used to it."
Kate's eyes softened. "Then don't. But let people enjoy what you're doing. It's okay to be proud."
Adriano looked down for a moment, thoughtful. "You know what really stayed with me? Walking off and seeing their fans… Liverpool fans… clapping. I wasn't expecting that."
"Because they're football people. They know when they've seen something real."
He gave a faint smile.
Kate leaned closer to her camera. "You should know something else. A few people asked me today if I'm dating *the* Adriano Riveiro."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What did you say?"
"I told them no—I'm dating a quiet Portuguese guy who just happens to own some real estate at Anfield."
Adriano laughed quietly. "That's gonna get clipped."
"Let it. You deserve a little myth-building. Just don't grow a man bun and start referring to yourself in third person."
"No promises."
They talked a bit more—about her shoot schedule, his training load, what they were watching on Netflix. It was easy. Normal. Familiar. Adriano could feel the weight of the last few days slowly lifting.
"I saw the clip of you hugging Pellegrini after the sub," Kate said. "He looked proud."
"Coach is smart. Calm. He trusts me unconditionally. Doesn't say a lot, but when he does, you listen."
"What did he say to you?"
"Just, 'Good work. Remember who you are.'"
Kate smiled. "That's good advice."
She looked at him for a beat longer, then added, "I'm proud of you too, you know. Not just for the goals. But for how you carry yourself."
Adriano nodded, swallowing lightly. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."
"I'll always say it when it's true."
They wrapped the call not long after. She had to go over her lines. He needed to stretch and eat something. Before they hung up, she added one last thing:
"Take it all in, Adri. Just don't let it take you."
"I won't," he said. "As long as I've got you to keep me straight."
She winked. "That's the plan."
When the call ended, Adriano set his phone down, leaned back into the couch, and closed his eyes. The city lights outside his window began to glow as the sky faded from blue to dark gray.
The season would go on. Matches, pressure, noise. But for now, he had silence. He had clarity.
And somewhere across the ocean, someone who reminded him what really mattered.
***
The days after the Anfield victory were intense, though not in the same way as matchday.
Training at the City Football Academy carried a new tempo—sharp, purposeful, and a little more focused. The squad had the taste of momentum, but Manuel Pellegrini wasn't letting anyone get ahead of themselves.
Every session was a mix of tactical drills and individual sharpening. One morning, while the defenders worked separately with the assistant coaches, Adriano, De Bruyne, and Navas went through quick-passing sequences and attacking patterns. It wasn't flashy—just repetition. Movement, timing, execution.
"Kev, let the ball run earlier," Adriano called during one drill.
De Bruyne raised a hand and nodded. "I saw it late. Go again."
They reset and ran it clean. Quick wall pass, diagonal touch, and a through ball that cut the angle. Navas finished it off.
Watching nearby, Pellegrini gave a quiet nod of approval. "Good. Keep the shape fluid but always look for the third man run."
Meanwhile, Scott Sinclair and Álvaro Negredo, both set to start against Stoke, were working closely with Micah Richards and Gaël Clichy on counter-pressing in transition.
Pellegrini's message was simple—win it back fast or drop into the block. Stoke was a different kind of danger, especially under Mark Hughes, who had slowly evolved their style from long-ball brawlers to a more balanced, pressing side.
On the eve of the match, the team reviewed footage of Stoke's recent games. The analysts highlighted two key things: Stoke's physical duels in midfield, and their quick diagonal switches when attacking.
"They're not just playing it long anymore," assistant coach Rubén Cousillas explained, laser pointer tapping the screen. "They'll try to overload one side, suck you in, then hit the other channel. If we overcommit—especially on our right—it's a problem."
Pellegrini closed the session with a reminder. "We rotate tomorrow not because we underestimate Stoke. We rotate because the season is long. Everyone must be ready. And no matter who plays—our principles stay the same. Possession, control, vertical runs."
The lineup, when announced the next morning, reflected that mindset.
Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Joe Hart
RB: Micah Richards
LB: Gaël Clichy
CBs: Eliaquim Mangala, Matija Nastasic
CMs: Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne
CAM: Adriano
RW: Jesús Navas
LW: Scott Sinclair
ST: Álvaro Negredo
Adriano kept his place, the creative core flanked by speed and muscle, while Silva, Aguero, and Hazard were rested ahead of the Arsenal fixture.
Stoke City XI (4-1-4-1):
GK: Asmir Begović
RB: Geoff Cameron
LB: Erik Pieters
CBs: Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson
CDM: Steven Nzonzi
CMs: Charlie Adam, Glenn Whelan
RW: Jonathan Walters
LW: Marko Arnautović
ST: Mame Biram Diouf
Mark Hughes kept the spine of the team intact. The plan was clear: frustrate City, win the midfield scrap, and pounce in transition.
***
Kickoff – Manchester City vs. Stoke City
The Britannia Stadium was packed under a grey Manchester sky, though the crowd energy was a level below the Anfield high. After the explosive victory over Liverpool, this was expected to be a more straightforward affair for City. But Stoke City, under Mark Hughes, had other ideas.
Martin Tyler: "And we're underway for the 3rd round of Premier League in the Britannia Stadium. Stoke in their traditional red and white, City in sky blue. Expectation here is for an away win, but Stoke can be stubborn at home."
Alan Smith: "Yeah, Mark Hughes has set them up in a compact 4-5-1. Glenn Whelan sits deep, while Nzonzi and Adam will do the running. It'll be hard for City to play through them."
From the first whistle, City lacked rhythm. The crowd's cheers dimmed as misplaced passes, clunky overlaps, and failed crosses painted a frustrating picture.
Negredo was isolated, Navas's crosses went astray, and Sinclair often cut in only to be dispossessed. Adriano dropped deep to collect the ball, trying to reset possession, but Stoke's defensive lines were compact and disciplined.
From the start, Stoke dropped deep into a mid-block, not pressing high but closing the central lanes. Every time Fernandinho received the ball, he was immediately swarmed by Whelan and Nzonzi. City's passing lacked rhythm; the rotations between Negredo and Adriano weren't clicking.
Micah Richards and Gaël Clichy pushed forward to provide width, but Stoke were well-drilled, cutting off cutbacks and blocking inside channels. Jesús Navas made two early runs but was shepherded away by Pieters.
In the 8th minute, Navas curled in a teasing low cross from the right, skipping just in front of Álvaro Negredo, who stretched but couldn't make clean contact. Asmir Begović claimed the loose ball and immediately launched a counter via one of his trademark long throws.
In the 10th minute, Stoke City found a breakt. Begović's throw released Arnautović on the left. He danced past Richards with a stepover, cut inside and slid a ball to Mame Biram Diouf, who took one touch and fired a low shot just wide of Hart's left post.
Martin Tyler: "That's a warning for City. You lose focus on the transition, and Stoke will take that space."
Stoke began pressing higher. Charlie Adam fouled Fernandinho twice in the space of five minutes, both times stopping transitions. He received a warning from the referee. Nzonzi was everywhere—pressing, intercepting, and frustrating De Bruyne's attempts to dictate tempo.
Alan Smith: "Credit to Stoke. They're not just parking the bus—they're being smart. Targeting Fernandinho and cutting supply to Adriano."
Adriano tried dropping into deeper pockets, but Stoke's midfield tracked him diligently. He was forced into safe passes rather than risk progressive plays.
In the 27th minute, De Bruyne finally broke the lines with a chipped ball over the top for Adriano. The Spaniard volleyed into the net, but the flag had gone up. Replays showed he was a step ahead of Shawcross.
Clichy's overlaps became more frequent, but his final balls lacked precision. One cross drifted too high. On the right, Richards overlapped Navas but was beaten for pace by Arnautović on the recovery. The away fans grew restless. A few groans were audible after a misplaced pass from Nastasic.
Martin Tyler (Commentary):
"City are struggling to link up in the final third here. You can see what Adriano's trying to do — but without the runners, he's got no outlet."
Alan Smith:
"And look at Stoke. They've parked two solid lines, five at the back when out of possession. They're clearly here for a point, but City are letting them settle into that shape."
In the 37th minute, Adraino almost created a goal with a solo effort. It came from a loose ball near the halfway line. Adriano received with his back to goal, Nzonzi pressing close. He turned quickly, beat his man with a simple roll and burst into the space ahead.
Martin Tyler: "That's more like it from the young Portuguese star. Just ghosting past Nzonzi."
He drove toward the backline and released Sinclair in stride on the left. Sinclair took the shot first time from just inside the box. Begović got down low, strong left hand, pushing it wide.
Alan Smith: "That was the first moment of real quality from City. Adriano's turn and timing—that's what we've seen from him the last two games. This is the level of play we expect from the superstar."
In the 40th minute, After a foul by Mangala on Diouf, Stoke earned a free kick from about 35 yards. Adam floated in a dangerous ball. Shawcross won the aerial duel, but his header looped onto the roof of the net.
In the 43rd minute, after Receiving near the edge of the area, Adriano shaped to shoot but was immediately closed down by Whelan and Shawcross. The ball ricocheted away, and as he chased it down, he was clipped from behind. No foul given.
He threw his arms up to protest, drawing a mild warning from the referee.
The first half ended 0-0. Adriano looked frustrated, not just by the defensive wall, but by his own teammates' inability to capitalize on his deliveries. At least twice, he carved open the defense with clever balls — once for Sinclair, who miscontrolled, and once for Navas, who dragged his shot wide.
First-Half Stats Snapshot:
Possession: City 64% – Stoke 36%
Shots: City 4 (1 on target), Stoke 3 (0 on target)
Fouls: City 5, Stoke 9
Offsides: City 2, Stoke 0
Bookings: Micah Richards (yellow, 34')
The atmosphere was a mix of impatience and unease in Britannia Stadium at half time. While no boos were heard from home crowd, murmurs of frustration were growing. The City fans expected dominance, but the cohesion wasn't there. Fans behind the City bench urged Pellegrini to bring on David Silva or Sergio Agüero.
A middle-aged fan in the South Stand shouted, "Where's the spark, lads? We're making Adam look like Pirlo!"
Children waved banners for Adriano, but the young playmaker had been neutralized in the first half by an aggressive Stoke midfield. A fan near the tunnel held up a sign: "Kung-Fu Kid, light it up again!"
Martin Tyler: "We're seeing just how hard it is to play these mid-table sides when the chemistry isn't quite there. For all of City's talent, the rhythm is missing."
Alan Smith: "Sometimes a rotated squad doesn't gel instantly. This Stoke side is fighting for every inch. Adriano's trying to make things happen, but he's surrounded every time he turns."
***
Halftime: Manchester City vs. Stoke City
As the halftime whistle echoed through the Etihad, the players trudged back into the tunnel, heads slightly bowed. The scoreline remained 0-0, but it was the manner of the performance that raised eyebrows. The crowd didn't boo, but there was a restless murmur—a collective awareness that something wasn't clicking.
Inside the Manchester City dressing room, the atmosphere was subdued. The players sat in silence for a few moments, catching their breath. Some pulled off shin pads, others stared down at the floor. Sweat dripped, but the tension in the air was thicker than fatigue.
Manuel Pellegrini stood in the center, arms crossed. For a manager known for his calm demeanor, the slight tightness in his jaw said everything. The first half had lacked sharpness. There were no sustained phases of pressure, no control in midfield, and limited service to the front line.
Pellegrini broke the silence.
"We're forcing the game too much," he began, voice even but stern. "You're waiting for magic when you need movement. Move it quicker—shorter combinations, then release. Play off the shoulder. Don't wait for them to open up."
He pointed across the dressing room.
"Scott," he said, turning to Scott Sinclair, who had sat down near the corner, a towel around his neck. "Start drifting inside. Pull their fullback with you, create space for Gaël to overlap."
Sinclair gave a curt nod.
"Jesús," Pellegrini continued, looking at Navas, who was rubbing his calves with a trainer. "Stay high. Don't drop deep looking for the ball. Stay wide and keep their back line stretched."
Then Pellegrini turned to Adriano, who was quietly sipping water at the far end of the room. Calm, focused, watching.
"Adriano—get between the lines. Stop chasing wide. Let them come to you, then slip in the runners."
Adriano responded quickly and clearly. "They're following me with two. If Kevin drops deeper, I can push up and pull Whelan out of position."
Pellegrini looked over to Kevin De Bruyne, seated a few feet away, his shirt half-off, breathing heavily.
"Exactly," Pellegrini said. "Rotate more with Adriano. Keep switching lanes. Make them guess."
Joe Hart, seated on a bench near the goalkeeping coach, added quietly, "We need to watch the transition. They're looking to go long from Begović."
Pellegrini nodded. "Yes. Gaël, Micah—cover quicker after every cross. No ball-watching."
But not everyone was calm.
Álvaro Negredo, still in full kit, stood up and flung his gloves down near his seat.
"I'm not getting the service," he snapped. "Everything's too slow in the middle. I'm just standing there while we pass sideways."
All eyes turned to him. Pellegrini didn't flinch.
"You're too static, Álvaro," he replied sharply. "You're not pulling Shawcross or Cameron out of position. Adriano is feeding the channels—you need to move."
Negredo opened his mouth as if to respond, but said nothing. He turned and sat down heavily, his jaw clenched.
Adriano said nothing, but observed it all with quiet detachment. He'd seen these dynamics before—strikers blaming service, midfielders caught in tight spaces, managers under pressure to find a spark. This wasn't surprising. This was part of the game.
Silva sat nearby, stretching, preparing mentally, though he hadn't been called upon yet. The veterans were reading the room. This wasn't panic—it was friction, the type that happened when expectations outpaced execution.
Pellegrini glanced at his assistants, then made his call.
"We make changes now," he said. "Álvaro, off. Harry, you're on."
Harry Kane, still pulling up his socks, stood quickly and nodded.
"Jesús, off. Mo, you're wide right."
Mohamed Salah was already halfway out of his warmup top. He jogged over to the group, bumping fists with De Bruyne and Adriano as he passed.
Negredo, walking toward the bench, muttered under his breath in Spanish. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to be noticed. Pellegrini didn't acknowledge it. There was no time to dwell on wounded egos.
Salah approached Adriano as they stood near the tunnel exit.
"You good?" Salah asked, keeping his voice low.
Adriano gave a single nod. "Let's change the game."
The two shared a handshake—quick and firm.
From the hallway outside, the faint murmur of the crowd filtered in. It wasn't roaring or hostile—just expectant. The kind of hum that builds when 30,000 people are waiting for something to click.
The second half was coming, and the stakes were growing. Not for points. For pride. For cohesion. For control.
Pellegrini gave his final instruction as the players lined up at the tunnel entrance.
"Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen."
Then the door opened, and the players stepped back into the light.
***
The second half resumed at the Etihad with a noticeable shift in Manchester City's tempo and structure. After a first half marred by disjointed buildup and few clear chances, Manuel Pellegrini's adjustments began to show.
De Bruyne pushed higher up the pitch to operate between the lines, while Fernandinho anchored midfield with more freedom to break up Stoke's counters.
Adriano, in a more advanced role, began finding pockets of space and orchestrating attacks. The presence of Salah widened City's shape — forcing Stoke's full-backs deeper and stretching their compact 4-4-1-1 formation.
The difference was immediate. From the first moments of the restart, City passed with greater urgency. There was a tempo shift — not frantic, but deliberate, purposeful.
In the 49th minute, Salah picked up a lofted switch from Mangala, controlled it superbly on the run, and drilled a low cross across the face of goal. Kane lunged, a stud-length away, but Shawcross' defensive awareness kept him just off balance.
Martin Tyler:
"There's that wide threat Salah brings… and Kane — so close to his second goal of the season."
Stoke weren't passive in response. Mark Hughes kept Diouf as the lone striker, but Arnautović was more aggressive from the left, aiming to exploit Micah Richards' positioning.
In the 53rd, Charlie Adam spotted Arnautović's run and pinged a lofted ball over the top. Arnautović controlled and cut inside, beating Richards, and let fly — but Joe Hart got down sharply, parrying the shot around the post.
Alan Smith:
"Arnautović looks Stoke's best outlet. They're relying on moments, not moves — but they can still sting City."
Then came the turning point.
In the 59th minute, Stoke tried to break through midfield, but Fernandinho read Whelan's pass and intercepted. He quickly laid it to Adriano, who was stationed in the middle third. One quick glance. Then one touch — and a through ball of surgical precision, threading past both Nzonzi and Shawcross.
Martin Tyler:
"Oh, that is an exquisite pass from Adriano!"
Kane timed his run perfectly, surging into the channel between Wilson and Shawcross. One touch around the recovering defender, then a composed finish — low into the bottom corner past a helpless Begović.
Alan Smith:
"That's exactly what they needed. Kane's movement, Adriano's vision — perfect execution. That's the difference with these new boys."
Goal! Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City
The Etihad erupted. Flags waved, voices lifted. The collective tension of a goalless first half was released in one sound. Kane, without flash, turned and pointed directly at Adriano. A silent thank you. Adriano gave a small nod and jogged back into position.
But City didn't stop.
In the 64th minute, Salah broke down the right again, burning past Pieters. His cross was slightly behind Kane, who backheeled it into the path of Adriano. The Portuguese playmaker let it run across his body before laying it off to Sinclair, who sliced his shot wide from 18 yards.
Martin Tyler:
"They're flowing now. That could have been two — and Adriano's vision again, letting that run across… it's subtle, but clever."
Stoke attempted to swing momentum back in their favor. Hughes introduced Jon Walters for Whelan in the 66th minute, switching to a more aggressive 4-4-2 with Adam and Nzonzi in midfield. They committed more men forward — and nearly won a penalty moments later.
Arnautović, again causing problems, cut inside Richards and was clipped right at the edge of the area. He fell just inside the box, but referee blew for a free kick outside.
Alan Smith:
"Oof… that's a tight one. The contact starts outside, but he ends up inside the box. Could've gone either way."
Charlie Adam's free kick skimmed over the wall but landed on the roof of the net — Hart never looked troubled.
Three minutes later, City made Stoke pay again.
De Bruyne, breaking from midfield, was cynically brought down by Whelan just outside the box, dead center. A clear free kick. The stadium buzzed. Adriano stepped up.
Martin Tyler:
"He's already scored one worldie this week. Could he do it again?"
Adriano placed the ball. A single step back. The run-up was smooth. The strike — curling and dipping — beat Begović all ends up, smacking into the top-right corner before kissing the net.
Goal! Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City
The stadium exploded. Away Fans leapt to their feet. Blue and white scarves spun in the air. Adriano, unlike before, kept his celebration muted — a quiet look to the heavens, a finger pointed skyward. A moment of clarity in the chaos.
Alan Smith:
"There's a maturity about him that's scary at this age. Not just the technique — it's the calm. The responsibility. That's a leader."
The goal drained Stoke's resolve. They committed men forward, and City countered.
In the 73rd minute, De Bruyne fed Kane with a no-look pass. The England striker shifted left and fired low — only for the post to deny him his second.
Another chance came in the 76th minute. Salah danced down the right, pulled the ball back to the edge of the area, and De Bruyne's half-volley was deflected just wide by Wilson.
With City two goals up and the game approaching its final quarter, Stoke City made a final push to salvage pride. Mark Hughes adjusted the shape, pushing Arnautović higher and instructing Adam and Whelan to press more aggressively in midfield.
Their intent was clear—test the rotated City defense and disrupt the rhythm that Adriano and De Bruyne had finally found.
But City, sensing the game was theirs to control, began to flow.
City built from the back with Mangala playing it short to Fernandinho. The Brazilian turned and found Adriano in the left channel, who, under pressure, played a quick one-touch pass wide to Clichy. The Frenchman, seeing the press coming, chipped a diagonal ball to Salah near the touchline.
Mohamed Salah's first touch was clean. His second sent Erik Pieters sliding the wrong way.
Martin Tyler (voice rising):
"Salah—skips inside—brilliant footwork!"
Alan Smith:
"Left him for dead, didn't he?"
Salah darted into the final third and squared it toward the top of the box. De Bruyne, arriving on cue, shaped to shoot — but let it run. Kane feinted, drawing Shawcross with him. Salah, continuing his run, got behind the retreating defenders.
De Bruyne spotted him and immediately reversed the ball into his path.
Martin Tyler:
"Oh, clever from De Bruyne—Salah's in—can he finish—yes he can!"
Salah met the ball with a swift toe-poke, directing it low to Begović's left. The Stoke keeper got a hand to it, but the power and precision took it just inside the post.
Goal – Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City
The away fans erupted. Not as chaotic as the Anfield roar from days earlier, but filled with joy. Fans in the front rows leapt from their seats, scarves raised.
Salah sprinted to the corner flag, then dropped to his knees in his trademark slide, both hands pointed to the sky. The Egyptian had waited for this moment.
Alan Smith:
"That's what he brings. Penetration, urgency — and he's earned that goal. Lovely sequence."
Adriano, watching from the edge of the box, jogged over, clapped slowly, and gave Salah a firm pat on the back. Kane caught up and wrapped his arms around both. De Bruyne stayed near the penalty arc, fist raised, calm as ever.
In the 81st minute, Manuel Pellegrini stood at the edge of the technical area and gave the signal for substitution. The fourth official raised the board. Number 10 flashed red. Number 42, green.
Adriano jogged off the field slowly, exchanging brief handshakes and hugs with De Bruyne, Kane, and Fernandinho along the way. The away fans cheered as he exited the pitch.
Martin Tyler:
"And the City fans rise for a standing ovation. They know what they've witnessed tonight."
Alan Smith:
"He's run the show in the second half. Still so young — but already dictating at this level. Special."
As he reached the bench, Pellegrini leaned in toward him, voice low beneath the buzz of the crowd.
"Arsenal in four days. Get your breath," the manager said.
Adriano nodded, sipping from a water bottle. "And your locker room," he added quietly, "it needs cleansing, boss."
Pellegrini raised an eyebrow. "I know. Suggestions?"
"I'll send you a list later next month," Adriano replied, eyes on the pitch. "See if things change."
The tension was left hanging between them.
With City rotating and sitting slightly deeper, Stoke pushed forward with desperation.
In the 84th minute, Charlie Adam clipped a ball over the top to Diouf. Mangala hesitated, and the striker broke through, only to miscue the finish under pressure from Hart, dragging the shot wide of the far post.
Alan Smith:
"Big chance that. If he scores, you never know. Mangala's positioning wasn't great."
A minute later, Arnautović surged down the left and earned a corner off Richards. Adam whipped it in dangerously. Shawcross rose highest, beating Nastasić in the air, but his header went just over.
Martin Tyler:
"Well, they've not stopped trying, to Stoke's credit. But they've lacked quality where it matters."
City responded through Salah again in the 87th minute, breaking down the right and drawing a foul from Pieters just outside the area. De Bruyne stood over the free kick. His delivery was whipped toward the back post, where Kane rose but nodded it wide under pressure.
With added time looming near the 90th minute, Stoke were opened up one final time.
Clichy won possession near his own box and quickly laid it off to Yaya Touré. The Ivorian advanced unchallenged through midfield and picked out Salah's run on the right. Salah took it down on his chest, then slowed, drawing Pieters forward before lofting a clever ball over the back line.
De Bruyne, who had ghosted into the right channel, timed his run perfectly. No flag. He let it bounce once, then struck it first-time with his right foot.
Martin Tyler:
"De Bruyne! Clean strike — bottom corner!"
Begović dived full stretch but couldn't reach it.
Goal – Manchester City 4-0 Stoke City
Alan Smith:
"That's the fourth. No dramatics, no fuss. Just efficient, ruthless football. That's how you close a match."
De Bruyne raised both hands as he jogged back, high-fiving Kane and Touré. Salah followed, pointing at the Belgian and laughing.
The fans in the south stand stood and clapped, several waving flags. One banner read, "The Future is Now."
Full-Time: Manchester City 4-0 Stoke City
As the referee blew the final whistle, there was no wild celebration — just nods, handshakes, and a quiet satisfaction. It had been a job well done.
Martin Tyler:
"Manchester City, clinical in the second half. Adriano, Kane, Salah, De Bruyne — all on the scoresheet or contributing."
Alan Smith:
"This team's evolving right in front of us. Pellegrini's changes worked. And that young number 10… he's already becoming the heartbeat."
As the players walked toward the tunnel, Pellegrini took a deep breath and gave a slow nod to his assistants. There were bigger matches ahead — but tonight, City had done exactly what they needed.
***
The scoreline told one story — a commanding 4–0 win, goals from Adriano, Kane, Salah, and De Bruyne. But beneath the surface, not everything was settled.
As the players left the pitch, most walked toward the away section, clapping for the travelling supporters who'd made the cold trip to Stoke. Some smiled. Others exchanged shirts. Adriano waved to a young fan in the front row. De Bruyne handed off his armband to a steward for a disabled fan. The mood, on the surface, was positive.
But two players stood apart.
Álvaro Negredo and Jesús Navas, both veterans of the City dressing room, walked toward the tunnel with neutral expressions. Neither clapped. Neither spoke to teammates. Navas muttered something under his breath to Negredo, and the two disappeared through the tunnel without so much as a glance toward the stands.
Pellegrini noticed.
He stood quietly near the touchline, arms folded, watching. His assistant, Rubén Cousillas, stepped beside him.
"You saw that?"
Pellegrini nodded.
"They're not hiding it anymore," Cousillas said quietly. "That's two weeks in a row."
"I know," Pellegrini murmured. "And the young ones are watching."
They headed toward the tunnel, saying nothing more.
The locker room was quiet. Not tense, but not celebratory either.
Adriano sat between Touré and Fernandinho, towel draped over his shoulders. Kane was across the room, sipping water and talking softly with De Bruyne. Salah had headphones on. Mangala scrolled through his phone. Richards and Clichy were laughing about something trivial in the far corner.
Negredo sat near the back, taping his fingers. Navas removed his boots slowly, eyes focused on the floor.
Pellegrini entered, calm and composed. Everyone looked up.
"Well done," he said simply. "That was professional. We were organized, we moved the ball well, and when the chances came — we took them."
He looked at Adriano, then De Bruyne, then Salah.
"Exactly how we want to play."
He didn't mention the others. He didn't need to.
"You have a rest day tomorrow. Then we start preparation for Arsenal. That will be a different game entirely."
A few nods. Not much talk.
He gave a quick clap, then walked into his office.
Pellegrini shut the door behind him. Cousillas and fitness coach José Cabello were already seated.
"We need to talk," Pellegrini said, reaching for his notepad. "Negredo. Navas. Maybe a couple others. They're not adapting."
"Not just not adapting," Cabello replied. "They're pulling away. You can see it in training. They don't talk during drills. They avoid Adriano. De Bruyne too."
Pellegrini sat back, arms crossed. He had coached players at every level of the game — egos were nothing new. But this was different.
"They've lost their place," Cousillas said plainly. "But instead of competing, they're retreating."
Pellegrini nodded slowly. Then reached for his phone.
It was late, but not too late. Al Mubarak answered on the second ring.
"Good win," he said. "Clean sheet. Strong midfield."
"We're moving forward," Pellegrini replied. "But… some aren't moving with us."
There was a pause.
"Any Names?"
"Negredo. Navas. I'd add Clichy and Sinclair to that list too. They aren't causing fights. But the energy is wrong. They're resisting the shift. We're building a team around Adriano's ideas — his tempo, his movement. These guys — they're either slowing us down, or isolating themselves. Not to mention all the new players have performed better."
Al Mubarak didn't hesitate.
"Unload them in January," he said. "We back Adriano's vision. If some big names have to go, they go."
"It's too early," Pellegrini warned. "There's still time to turn attitudes. Easily offloading veterans might have some drawbacks in morale."
Al Mubarak replied firmly. "We've seen this kind of story before. Don't let it fester. We've committed to this direction. No halfway measures."
"I understand," Pellegrini said.
"Let me know what you need. I'll speak to Txiki tomorrow. If you have targets, scout them now."
"I'll have a list from Adriano by the end of next month," Pellegrini said.
Al Mubarak chuckled, " Then I don't need to worry. The guy's got better vision than pro scouts.
The match had been won, but the real victory came afterward.
The locker room wasn't settled — not yet. The tension would persist until January. Some players would adjust. Others would leave.
But the balance of power had shifted.
Not to the manager. Not to the executives.
To Adriano Riveiro — an 18-year-old playmaker from Portugal who had arrived as a record signing, but who now dictated more than passes.
Every goal he scored, every pass he played, every conversation with the staff — it all shaped the new Manchester City.
He wasn't just their future.
He was becoming the architect of their present.