Using the competition to give minutes for the younger players, Pep has been impressed with the hunger and desire shown by his young charges. Early on in the game they showed exactly what they could do, with good quick interplay in the opposition half.
However, it was following a similar storyline to the previous two games. City bright early on before going behind. The young blues even had a penalty claim turned away before Bayern would take the lead through Shabani after fifteen minutes. That lead doubled when Arjen Robben, now 34 years old, finished neatly past Bravo.
Despite the scoreline, City had more than a few positives. Phil Foden looked really good with his precise balls over the top and into space behind the Munich back line. Pressure was all in the Bayern half with the goals essentially from counter attacks.
Before the half an hour mark, Manchester City received another blow. Targeted from the beginning, Riyad Mahrez was withdrawn from the game, hobbling off the field. With the start of the season upcoming soon, bad news of a significant injury would be worse than any result tonight.
Bernardo Silva replaced the Algerian and, after Claudio Bravo made a superb save, would half the deficit. With the goal coming right before half time, it was no more than City had deserved for their play.
At half time City had enjoyed more possession and had more shots than Bayern. However, the German side were winning both in terms of the overall score and with their shots on target. Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz stepped up from their pre season performances last term while Luke Bolton had a few good moments.
On the negatives, of course you have the Riyad Mahrez injury but also some frustrations from a younger player by the name of Zinchenko. Playing back on the left the youngster showed a desire to be on the tour but no desire to take players on and get forward. Still trying to figure out his best position we know it isn't at left back. With the talent further forward, and his seeming inability to turn a defender, maybe it is not at the Etihad at all.
Douglas Luiz is one of a couple of youngsters Pep was hoping might be able to do a job for Fernandinho this season. Luiz though didn't really impress me all that much, certainly not in this game nor in the first. The search still continues with maybe Claudio Gomes a possibility to fill that gap.
The second half started with a bang and City were back on level terms within six minutes of the restart. Phil Foden's shot from outside the box was parried by Sven Ulreich straight to Lukas Nmecha, who finished neatly.
Lost on some of the fans maybe was the non introduction of Joe Hart. Traditionally introduced at half time, and with no indication he will play any part of the 2018/19 season for Manchester City, it seemed we had already seen the last of him.
In the 67th minute Pep did make a triple substitution with Luke Bolton, Brahim Diaz and Aymeric Laporte coming off. Introducing Claudio Gomez, Jack Harrison and the 17 year old Adrian Bernabe. It was that 17 year old who impressed me the most after his introduction.
Three minutes after his introduction it was a delivery from him which led to Bernardo Silva's second of the game. A neat little flick with the outside of his left foot provided the Portuguese International with the chance. Beating Ulreich at his near post would leave questions for the keeper, as City completed the comeback.
A late introduction of Benjamin Garre was good to see. City finally through all the legal red tape which came as a result of this youngsters signature. At the final whistle both Managers had points to ponder and solutions to issues maybe not resolved. Both sides headed home directly from the game with City next in action on Sunday with the Community Shield.
Questions for the youngsters now will be have they done enough to be in this squad for the upcoming season or do their futures, for the moment at least, lay elsewhere?
No comments:
Post a Comment