City Edged Out By Barcelona On Penalties In Weather-Delayed Clash

8 August 2024 Off By Harry

City took on Barcelona in Orlando, knowing a win was a must to turn around their fortunes in pre-season so far.

The match started 80 minutes late due to adverse weather conditions. And when the game did get going, the first big chance came the way of City in the 5th minute of the game. Kalvin Phillips played a long-ball diagonally over the top of the Barcelona attack and midfield to Grealish. He was able to take on the Barcelona right-back Fort and get a shot away, but it hit the side-netting.

The second big chance of the game also fell the way of the blues just over 6 minutes later, showing City’s early dominance in the tie. McAtee played a release ball down the right-flank for Oscar Bobb. Bobb was able to take on Martin and cross the ball for City’s targetman Haaland. But, the ball didn’t quite manage to get entirely over the line thanks to the save from the Barca keeper Pena Sotorres.

Barcelona had their first big chance of the game in the 24th minute. A well-worked passing move through the centre of the City half allowed Victor to finish cooly through the legs of Ederson. 1-0 Barcelona.

It was almost 15 minutes before the next big chance of the clash. Grealish set-up Gvardiol who played an excellent split pass through the Barcelona defence. This allowed O’Reilly to slot it into the far right-hand side bottom corner to level matters in Orlando.

Barcelona then went ahead again in additional stoppage time. Barca were able to spread the play out wide to Martin, who in turn was able to put a ball across the edge of the City box. Victor had great awareness to leave the ball for his teammate Torre. Torre was then able to put Barca ahead with a calm and collected strike.

The second half’s first big chance fell the way of Barca again to continue where they left off in the first period of this friendly. A good team move led to a chance for Victor again, who tried to round City’s substitute keeper Ortega. Ortega recovered well to save Victor’s attempt at pulling Barca 2 clear.

Approaching the hour mark, Kovacic went on a darting run from his own half, eventually playing a calculated release ball to Grealish. Grealish smashed the ball into the far right side of Pena Sotorres’ net to level the scores once again.

This match went straight to penalties at the end of the additional time. Barca scored their first penalty, but Astralaga denied Phillips to give Barca the edge after 1 penalty each. Barca also managed to convert their second penalty, but Jacob Wright also had his penalty saved by the substitute Astralaga. 2-0 to Barca after 2 penalties each and it was looking easy for the Catalonians to win this tie. Both teams scored their third penalties, but Antonio Fernandez rolled the ball in to the City net as calm as you like. Barcelona won the tie 4-1 on penalties.

City have one final chance to get a positive result out of their USA Tour. They face Chelsea today (3rd of August 2024) at 22:30 BST. After this game comes competitive fixtures to kick-off the 2024/25 season, starting with United at Wembley in the Community Shield Final 2024 on the 10th of August.

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