Japan Erling Haaland did not score but Man City still beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in a friendly match in Tokyo on the evening of July 26.
*Scorers: Mcatee 21', Laporte 86' - Tel 81'
The reigning Champions League champions started their Asian tour with two wins over Yokohama F Marinos and Bayern. Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was again absent, and Haaland only played the second half, but Man City still dominated, with 61% possession.
Man City players celebrate James Mcatee's goal (left) in the win over Bayern at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on the evening of July 26, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Young midfielder James McAfee opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a close-range tap-in, following some good work from fellow youngsters Rico Lewis and Julian Alvarez. Centre-back Dayot Upamecano made a mistake for the opener when Lewis dribbled past him into the penalty area. Upamecano also made a serious error when Bayern lost to Man City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
Man City were the stronger side in the second half, with Joao Cancelo, Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Phil Foden and Haaland, while Bayern only had Sadio Mane and Leon Goretzka to look out for. However, the German club equalised in the 81st minute after Mathys Tel's close-range rebound. Just five minutes later, Laporte scored from Foden's effort.
Despite the home team's victory, coach Pep Guardiola said the result was not important. "We have no injuries and the important thing is that the team's performance was good," he said. "Thank you Tokyo. We will go to Korea to play the last match before returning to Manchester."
Tokyo National Stadium was packed again when Man City played, three days after they beat Yokohama here. A record 65,049 people turned up to watch the European giants clash, setting a new stadium record since it opened in 2019.
After this match, Man City will move to Seoul to prepare to meet Atletico Madrid on Sunday, July 30.
Competition list
Man City: Ederson, Walker (Cancelo 45), Stones (Rodri 45), Dias (Laporte 45), Ake (Akanji 29), Lewis (Bobb 45), Kovacic (Phillips 45), Bernardo (Perrone 71), McAtee (Foden 45), Grealish (Gomez 45), Alvarez (Haaland 45).
Bayern: Sommer (Ulreich 45), Mazraoui (Sarr 45), Pavard (Tikvic 45), Upamecano (Stanisic 45), Davies (Kratzig 45), Kimmich (Goretzka 45), Laimer (Gravenberch 45), Musiala (Vidovic 45), Gnabry (Tel 45), Sane (Mane 45), Coman (Wanner 45).
Hoang An
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