Overview

• Manchester City defeated Palermo 3-0 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera to lift the inaugural Anglo-Palermitan Trophy in their final pre-season outing.
• Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a composed finish before Tijjani Reijnders came off the bench to net a second-half brace.
• Pep Guardiola hailed Reijnders as a “special player” and commended fellow summer signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït Nouri and the pacy Abdukodir Khusanov.
• The match provided a chance to test Rodri cover, with promising signs from John Stones contrasted by mixed performances from Nico Gonzalez and Nico O’Reilly.
• City now shift focus to their Premier League opener against Wolves and preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup.