Pep's men face fitness test after going 2-0 down, Palmer frustrates & impresses
Manchester City got their pre-season preparations on Sunday with a thrilling 5-3 win over Yokohama.
Their fitness was tested after going 2-0 down in a lively clash in Tokyo, but goals from John Stones and Julian Alvarez levelled the game before half time.
Erling Haaland then added a brace to put the visitors in control, while Rodri added a classy finish to fend off a late surge from Yokohoma.
Despite the excitement, City fans would have helped for a more convincing display ahead of their Community Shield clash with Arsenal in two weeks time.
Mail Sport's JACK GAUGHAN was at the Japan National Stadium to bring you his talking points…
Manchester City were here four years ago for a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos, a sister club in the City Football Group, and that proved a hectic night.
The Japanese, who are the reigning champions and currently sit second in the J1 League, are renowned for their high intensity and chaos.
Kevin Muscat, the former Wolves midfielder, has kept up the traditions of ex-boss Ange Postecoglou to an extent so this was always going to be some test for a team that has only undergone four training sessions so far this pre-season.
Perhaps the way this first game panned out will fast-track City from a fitness perspective, with the need to match Yokohama – who stuck six past Celtic the other day – as much as they could.
There were times when Pep Guardiola despaired in the first half as the hosts went two goals up but this was more than worthwhile.
Guardiola, keen to give everybody minutes, changed all of his 10 outfielders at the break. One of them, Erling Haaland, took seven minutes to score his first. Surprise, surprise.
That this ended as an eight-goal thriller sums Yokohama’s attitude up and City were in
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
