Match Report: Manchester City 2-0 Girona (Friendly)

Manchester City returned to action on Saturday afternoon as they hosted fellow City Football Group club Girona at the Academy Stadium.

Pep Guardiola handed starts to Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, as the Sky Blues began preparations for the restart to the campaign.

City face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round on Thursday before resuming their Premier League campaign away to Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday 28th December.

The Sky Blues made a bright start to the match and took an early lead through Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne pounced on a mistake by the Girona defence in the 4th minute, capitalising on a poor pass and slotting home.

Erling Haaland would double the Blues’ lead in the 18th minute, as the Spanish side grew into the game in East Manchester.

Girona would have a flurry of chances towards the end of the first-half; hitting the post with a header and nearly forcing City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into an error.

Carlos Borges replaced Morgan Rodgers early into the second-half, as Manchester City went in search of adding to their goal tally.

Haaland was replaced after an hour, as Girona thought they halved the deficit but Fernandez’s effort clattered the crossbar from close range after a skilful run from loanee Yan Couto.

The La Liga club did have the ball in the back of net in the closing minutes, however the goal was ruled out for offside.

Saturday’s fixture finished 2-0 and provided opportunities for several first-team players to get much needed minutes ahead of the resumption of the season.

Guardiola can be expected to welcome another set of players back to training next week prior to Thursday’s clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.