Man City suffer 3-4 defeat against Celtic in first pre-season friendly

The preseason is a period for testing. It's always better to iron out the flaws in the months leading up to the official competition than to do so in the middle of the season. Or at least that is what Pep Guardiola must think after his debut with his Manchester City 2024-25.

Even without all the internationals, as he has to recover those who played the European Championship and the Copa America, and those who are currently at the Olympic Games, the Sky Blues were stunned by Celtic. In today's football you rarely see 7 goals with only one goal difference between the two teams.

As usual in preseason, the inaccuracies and the lack of defensive order led to many goals. The first of them came after 13 minutes, when Nicolas Kühn headed in Matt O'Riley's right-footed cross.

Celtic's presence of more professional players was noticeable in the match against a City side that only had Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland, two of the big absentees from the European Championship, as starters. But it wasn't either of them who equalised for the first time, it was one of Guardiola's beloved gems in Oscar Bobb. The winger struck with his left foot from Nico O'Reilly's fine pass.

Manchester City's joy was short-lived as Celtic scored two more goals before half-time. First, Nicolas Kühn just three minutes after the equaliser and just before the break, Furuhashi from Kühn's pass.

The break was a welcome relief for the English side, who pulled one back early in the second half thanks to a goal from newcomer Perrone. Before the hour mark, Haaland had his first impact of the pre-season when he set up Oscar Bobb.

But Celtic, who looked more settled, were not prepared to let the game die and scored with just over 20 minutes remaining, Luis Palma's winner to make it 3-4.

Manchester City lost their first game of the season, nothing to worry about considering the players they have. Meanwhile, Celtic, for their part, take home a great joy.

 

July 24, 2024