The Norwegian found the back of the net, marking the only real positive from an otherwise worrying performance from the Premier League champions
There's an uncharacteristic amount of uncertainty about Manchester City this year. The squad, once enviously deep, is now shrinking, and with rumours swirling regarding departures of a handful of key players, the reigning Premier League champions look a little shaky ahead of the 2024-25 season. And those worries were only amplified on Saturday, as a youthful City crumbled in a 3-2 loss to AC Milan in New York.
There were some positives for Pep Guardiola. Erling Haaland buried his one real chance, while Oscar Bobb threatened on the right. But it was an otherwise forgettable night, as a side heavy on academy kids failed to influence the game – while Jack Grealish struggled through 90 minutes.
A much sharper Milan threatened early, as Ederson was forced into two important saves inside the first 15 minutes. But City took their first chance when it came, Haaland slotting into the bottom corner after a clever piece of wing play from Bobb. Milan equalised after 30 minutes, though, as Lorenzo Colombo snuck in at the back post to nod home from close-range.
The Rossoneri added a second four minutes later in similar circumstances, with Colombo once again finding space at the far post for an easy finish. But City responded after the break, James McAtee equalising with a well-taken header. Milan, however, found a much deserved winner, provided by Marco Nasti as he found the bottom corner with a clever finish from the edge of the box.
Guardiola can't take too much from this as half of his squad is still on holiday. Still, this is suddenly something of a flawed City side, with far less certainty about them than in years past.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Yankee Stadium…
GettyWINNER: Erling Haaland
Where are those "League Two player" allegations now? Haaland may not have the cleanest touch in football, nor is he an elite hold up player, but Roy Keane's insistence that the Norwegian was a "League Two player" always felt harsh, but there was a thin veil of truth to it all.
That all matters little, though, when Haaland is finding the net. And he did so again here, as he scored with his first real touch of the game, cleverly finding space before slotting home – leaving Lorenzo Torriani with no chance in goal.
A fine save denied him of a second, and he came inches from rifling one into the top corner with his weaker foot, too. Some time off appears to have the two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner in fine form already.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Mahamadou Susoho
These games are supposed to be a time for youngsters to get a run out. Errors are allowed here, and faults can be excused. For a teenager like Mahamadou Susoho, this fixture is the perfect opportunity to bed into first-team football – and perhaps show his manager what he might be able to offer.
This one will have to go down as a chance missed, then. The 19-year-old lost his man on both of Milan's first-half goals, letting Colombo sneak in at the far post on two separate occasions, effectively gifting the Serie A side a 2-1 lead. There were some positives here – Susoho was tidy on the ball – but it's his defensive mistakes that will live in the memory from this contest.
GettyWINNER: Oscar Bobb
Man City's right wing looks wide open all of a sudden. What was once a position of enviable depth for the Premier League champions is now pretty shallow, with Phil Foden at his best in a more central position – something he showed last season.
And although Bernardo Silva has the spot nailed down, there is talk that he could finally leave the Etihad Stadium. His departure, it would seem, leaves space for someone else to come into the fold, and Bobb could be that man.
He played like he wanted to spot against Milan, as he dribbled at his opposing defender relentlessly and full of craft and guile on the wing. A skillful run setup City's first, and some cleaner movement in the centre would have surely seen him grab another assist or two.
Getty/GOALLOSER: Jack Grealish
Grealish or Jeremy Doku on the left? It is the dilemma that Guardiola never seemed to figure out last season. For stretches, he trusted Doku, admitting himself that he was often transfixed by the Belgian's dribbling ability. But Grealish also had his moments, as he is more valuable for his ability to hold onto the ball under pressure. This season, it's likely to be a dead heat between the two of them for the starting spot.
Grealish didn't exactly inspire confidence with his showing against Milan, though. He didn't create a single chance, and managed just one touch in the opposition box. Yes, he was tidy on the ball, and turned in the kind of risk averse showing that Guardiola cherishes. But that signature attacking spark that made him some good at times was missing.