Five Things We Learned: Bayern Munich 0-1 Manchester City (Pre-Season Friendly)

Manchester City’s final game of their US tour saw them beat Bayern Munich 1-0 at Lambeau Field. 

City have now wrapped up their brief tour of the States, and much to the supporters delight, Erling Haaland was handed his debut by Pep Guardiola - and he certainly reaped the rewards.

City came out on top, with Haaland’s goal inside 12 minutes proving to be the winner.

Here are five things we learned from today’s game…

Haaland proves his worth

After being handed his debut, Halaand certainly would’ve only had one thing on his mind - to score.

It took him just 12 minutes, as Kevin De Bruyne won the ball back, threaded it through to Jack Grealish, who squared it to an outstretched Haaland to tap in. 

Throughout the first-half, Haaland looked ready and knew where to be, offering City a new dimension to their play that they have been missing since the departure of club legend Sergio Agüero. 

Haaland’s goal showed true striker instinct - being in the right place at the right time - and although it seemed a simple goal, it is arguably the best you can score as a striker. 

Josh. Wilson. Esbrand.

I mentioned Wilson-Esbrand in my piece against Club América and today he was at the races again. 

Pep Guardiola put full faith in the 19-year-old left-back, starting him as part of a full strength City side, but the youngster certainly returned the favour. 

From start to finish he looked superb, once again combining with Grealish down the left hand side to create a real threat going forward.

As he grew into the game more and more, he started to dart forwards with the ball and eventually had a shot on target.

If Wilson-Esbrand is to carry on this rich vein of form that he’s shown in pre-season, then Guardiola may want to reconsider whether to sign a new left back or not. 

City’s fluid style of play

Last night, the whole team combined very effectively to provide a potent force going forwards. The players fired the ball around very quickly and created numerous quick counter attack.

Haaland’s positioning seemed to help, as his ability to draw in defenders left lots of space for both Grealish and Riyad Mahrez to exploit.

Fast paced counter-attacks are something that Haaland became accustomed to at Borussia Dortmund, so provided City continue to do this, the Norway international will only thrive.

Jack Grealish looks like a different player

Following another impressive display, Grealish can’t seem to get enough praise from City fans at the moment, and rightfully so.

Since returning from his summer break, the Englishman has looked like a different player. His striving run forward and crosses into the box have been brilliant and he was acknowledged for this tonight as he received Man of the Match.

City’s number ten managed to stay onside as De Bruyne played it to him inside the 18-yard box. where Grealish then took the ball out of his feet and put it on a plate for Haaland.

If he continues to play like this, we could be set for an exciting season ahead. 

Rodri proving his importance once again

Off the back of arguably his best season yet in Sky Blue, Rodri has hit the ground running in pre-season already, especially last night.

Playing as a holding midfielder, he connects defence to the attack brilliantly. Whether that’s through intercepting the ball and laying it off, or picking it up from deep and carrying it forwards, he always seems to available. 

Against the Bundesliga champions, time and time again he picked up the ball deep and would send a long ball out to either Grealish or Mahrez - kickstarting a dangerous counter attack.

As well as going forwards, he also provided cover if Ruben Dias or Nathan Aké decided to progress with the ball.