Manchester City defeats Palermo 3-0 in a straightforward warm-up match; Tijjani Reijnders scores his initial goals for the team
Tijjani Reijnders Impresses in Manchester City's Pre-Season Win
Tijjani Reijnders, the new midfielder for Manchester City, made his mark in the team's pre-season game against Palermo. The Dutchman, who joined City ahead of the Club World Cup, came on at half-time and stole the show with a standout performance.
Reijnders, known for his possession-based style, fit well into Pep Guardiola's system, offering better protection for the defense and progression of the ball up the pitch. This was a marked improvement over last season's midfield struggles.
In the 45 minutes he played, Reijnders led all players in several categories. He had four shots, four shots on target, three big chances, seven touches in the opposition area, and an expected goals (xG) of 1.13. His performance was so impressive that it was described as a potential game-changer for City's midfield.
Reijnders' impact was not limited to statistics. He scored two goals for City in the 3-0 win against Palermo. The first goal was a result of a clever set-up from 17-year-old Divine Mukasa, eight minutes before the end of the game. However, he failed to secure the match ball at the death.
Meanwhile, other pre-season games saw various results. Aston Villa lost 3-1 to Marseille, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang coming off the bench to score a brace and secure the win for Marseille. Napoli, on the other hand, defeated Girona 3-2, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and providing an assist.
The second half of the Napoli vs Girona game did not contain the same level of goalmouth action as the first half. In contrast, the first half of City's game against Palermo was a bit shaky at the back, with James Trafford being busy. However, Erling Haaland swept City ahead from a Rico Lewis pass in the 25th minute, providing some much-needed stability.
Elsewhere, Salim Diakite blocked a shot that would have been a goal for Rayan Cherki in the game against Palermo. Cherki, who had the most touches (70) and passes in the final third (29) of any player during the game, was denied by Diakite's timely intervention.
In another notable event, Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored the first goal for Napoli, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne. Mason Greenwood and John McGinn also scored one goal each for Aston Villa and Marseille respectively before half-time.
Cristhian Stuani, however, scored twice for Girona before half-time, highlighting the unpredictability of pre-season friendlies.
[1] Source: BBC Sport, Manchester Evening News [5] Source: Sky Sports
- Tijjani Reijnders' impressive pre-season performance in Manchester City's win against Palermo showcases his potential in enhancing the team's midfield, possibly being a game-changer.
- In a separate pre-season game, Napoli's European-league rival Girona experienced an unpredictable first half, with Cristhian Stuani scoring twice before half-time.
- Despite his standout performance in the Premier League, Tijjani Reijnders' health will remain a critical factor in ensuring his continued success in the competitive world of sports.
