Pep Guardiola’s return to the Allianz Arena ended in a 1-0 defeat to former side Bayern Munich in his debut match managing Manchester City.
Erdal Ozturk’s deflected strike was the only goal of the night, his shot coming off the boot of Gael Clichy wrong-footed Angus Gunn on the 76th minute.
Starting XI
Bayern Munich; Ulreich, Rafinha, Feldhahn, Martinez, Bernat, Lahm (C), Alonso, Alaba, Benko, Green, Ribery.
Used Subs; Dorsch (Alonso 46′), Hagler (Ribery 46′), Ozturk (Alaba 46′), Friedl (Martinez 66′), Gotze (Bernat 66′), Shabani (Benko 83′).
Manchester City; Caballero, Maffeo, Adarabioyo, Kolarov, Angelino, Fernando, Fernandinho (C), Navas, Zinchenko, Barker, Iheanacho.
Used Subs; Gunn (Caballero 46′), Clichy (Barker 46′), Bony (Iheanacho 46′), Delph (Zinchenko 46′), Toure (Fernando 56′), Celina (Navas 56′), Bytyqi (Kolarov 66′), A.Garcia (Fernandinho 73′).
The game was played at a gentle pace, and in the first half was mostly dominated by the home side. Carlo Ancelotti’s second game managing The FCB saaw senior stars such as Frank Ribery, Phillip Lahm and Xabi Alonso come up against City’s second string blend of young and old players.
Ribery’s world-class talent was evident in the first forty-five and if it wasn’t for the brilliance of Willy Caballero then the Frenchman could have bagged himself one or two early assists.
An absence of fit central defenders resulted in City’s natural left-backs, Kolarov and Clichy, rotating in alongside youngster Tosin Abarabioyo at centre-back. Spanish teens Maffeo and Angelino made up the rest of the back four, Zinchenko was given his City debut and Kelechi’s work permit situation was sorted quick enough for the Nigerian to start up-front.
After half-time City looked to be on top, possession was swiftly regained and they posed more of a threat to the German outfit. Eight changes were made in this half; some of the more experienced players came on to make an impact on the game whilst tricky youth sensations Bersant Celina and Sinan Bytyqi provided the additional width.
Ultimately, it was a leisurely game that was somewhat underwhelming but at this stage of the season it’s all about match fitness and the result doesn’t matter too much. On a positive note, not that Danny Mills came up with any on commentary, signs of a high-pressing and harder working team were definitely there and we’re already seeing the talent that’s been hidden in our youth system.
City’s Man Of The
Match
Angelino – the Spanish teenager who had previously enjoyed a loan spell at sister club New York City was the one earning his plaudits tonight. Even against Bayern’s intense forward pressing, he was confident and comfortable on the ball. His pace and purposeful passing down the left-hand side threatened the home side when he advanced to a left-wing position during the second half. What I loved most about his performance tonight though was his versatility, he found himself playing in central-attacking roles at times and was the furthest player forward other times and through it all he remained in control. This guy could be the reason there aren’t many transfer rumours knocking about over future City left-backs because clearly Pep was impressed in the post-match interview, “Pablo Maffeo and Angelino played amazing,” he admitted.
