Manchester City Cruise Past Palermo in Preseason Finale: Haaland Shines, Reijnders Bags a Brace
Manchester City completed their preseason with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Italian Serie B side Palermo.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the first half and new signing Tijjani Reijnders scored the brace in the second half to secure the win.
Pep Guardiola’s side opted for an away fixture to close out preseason,Unlike many of their Premier League rivals.
A choice that proved worthwhile as they displayed sharp form, impressive squad depth, and a swarming attacking game.
First Half: Haaland Picks Up Where He Left Off
City asserted control early, circulating possession with their trademark precision.
The game changed in the 25th minute when Rico Lewis delivered an impressively timed pass that sent Erling Haaland through on goal.
The Norwegian striker made no mistake, he fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner, to score his first goal of the summer,
Second Half: Reijnders Steals the Show
Pep Guardiola, at the halftime, made a complete changes, introducing 10 new players while unexpectedly leaving Erling Haaland on the pitch.
One of the substitutes was Tijjani Reijnders, eager to impress following his move from AC Milan.
Reijnders wasted no time, smashing home after a clever assist from Savinho to double City’s lead.
On the hour mark, 17-year-old Divine Mukasa replaced Haaland for his senior debut and the academy star immediately impressed.
His intelligent through ball found Reijnders in space, allowing the Dutchman to slot home his second of the night.
What This Win Means for City
The result was more than just a preseason scoreline.
It was a statement of squad depth and a confidence boost after the shock Club World Cup exit to Al Hilal last month.
New arrivals like Reijnders are already blending seamlessly with the team, while young talents like Mukasa hint at a bright future for City’s next generation.
With the Premier League season around the corner, City appear ready to hit the ground running and with Haaland’s ruthless finishing and Reijnders’ midfield energy, Guardiola has multiple weapons at his disposal.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who scored for Manchester City against Palermo?
A: In first half, Erling Haaland scored once; while Tijjani Reijnders netted twice in second half, for Manchester City against Palermo.
Q2: Was this Manchester City’s only preseason match?
A: Yes, this was their only preseason game after their Club World Cup exit to Al Hilal.
Q3: Who is Divine Mukasa?
A: Divine Mukasa is a 17-year-old Manchester City academy graduate. And he made his first senior debut in this match.
Q4: How did Reijnders join Manchester City?
A: He signed from AC Milan earlier this summer.
Q5: What league does Palermo play in?
A: Palermo, Currently, plays in Serie B, the second division of Italian football.
