Iheanacho Stars as Bayern Munich Down Man City
Kelechi
Iheanacho played from the start as new Manchester City manager Pep
Guardiola got off to a losing start following a 1-0 defeat to former club
Bayern Munich Wednesday night.
This result
means Carlo Ancelotti begins his reign as Bayern boss on a winning note,
leaving Pep empty handed on his swift return to the Allianz Arena.
Both sides were
far from full strength as a number of players are still recuperating from the
hectic international engagements this summer, but a deflected effort from Erdal
Ozturk proved to be the difference with 75 minutes on the clock.
Bayern settled
down quickly on home turf as they looked to exploit an inexperienced City
backline, with Julian Green narrowly failing to get on the end of Juan Bernat’s
low cross.
Franc Ribery was a thorn in City’s side. Image: Mirror
|
The impressive
Oleksandr Zinchenko had a shot blocked at the other end, while Iheanacho saw a
curling effort sail just wide after a neat link-up with wide man Jesus Navas.
Some wonderful
interplay from Franc Ribery and David Alaba saw the Austria international draw
a fine close-range save from City goalie Willy Caballero.
The Argentine
goalkeeper, in inspired form, came big on two more occasions to thwart Green’s
efforts from close range as Bayern sought the opener.
Ivory Coast
forward Wilfried Bony came on at the restart to give City the much-needed focal
point in attack, as Guardiola’s charges played with a bit more fluency.
The former
Swansea man twice went close with close range strikes, but Bayern took the lead
in rather fortuitous circumstances.
Tosin
Adarabioyo’s clearance rebounded to Ozturk after striking the referee on the
back, and the young striker’s shot from 20 yards took a massive deflection off
Gael Clichy to crawl into the bottom right corner.
Second-half
substitute Yaya Toure whipped a free-kick just past the post, but Bayern
weren’t really threatened as they held out for a first pre-season victory.
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