Match Report and Player Ratings: K-League All Stars 1-3 Manchester City (Pre-Season Friendly) | OneFootball

Manchester City collected their first win of their Asia pre-season tour on Wednesday evening in Seoul, easing past the assembled K-League All Stars in a 3-1 win.

As with Saturday’s first friendly against Inter, it was an open affair between the sides, with City hitting three first-half goals through Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Divin Mubama, and All Stars getting one of their own via Kim Dae-Won.

The second-half failed to ignite in the same way but City saw out the result for their first victory under new boss Enzo Maresca – albeit not one which will go into the record books.

The first opening of the game drew the first goal. Tijjani Reijnders picked the ball up on the right flank and twisted and turned beyond two defenders before firing in a low cross; Mubama was narrowly denied from reaching it, but the deflection fell to Ait-Nouri, and the makeshift winger tucked home on his weaker right foot.

But the All Stars responded in kind, equalising with their first shot of the match. Iago worked hard to keep a ball into the channel in play, finding Kim, whose shot from the edge of the area nutmegged Ruben Dias and caught Gianluigi Donnarumma out at his near post.

The game developed into an even contest for a while, with the All Stars showing their technical class with some neat build-up; City threatened again on 20 minutes, Phil Foden’s low cross only just missing out Mubama.

The Blues were not to be denied for long though, as Rico Lewis’ pass into Antoine Semenyo was backheeled by the Ghanaian, possibly trying to return it to the overlapping full-back. It landed with Reijnders instead though, and the Dutchman drilled an accurate finish into the bottom corner.

City seemed to have found their groove, and Semenyo in particular – great deep progression from Mateo Kovacic freed the winger to cut inside and shoot, with goalkeeper Song Bum-Keun only able to parry straight to Mubama for a tap-in. It should have been two for the youngster on the half-hour mark after more outstanding play from Semenyo to drive it across, but it flashed straight past Mubama.

The goal-fest of a first-half didn’t quite carry on, although chances came and went for both sides, first for City when Foden collected an Ait-Nouri pass but struck his other leg when he went to shoot, then for All Stars as Lewis was required to put off Iago as the striker went to convert a header.

A host of half-time changes didn’t stop a whirlwind start to the second-half, as Foden, Reijnders and Ait-Nouri all saw shots saved, before Kim Ju-Chan hit the post at the other end following a quick break.

Another array of substitutions after the hour mark – City ended up changing their full team in the second period – did end up disrupting the game, with the second-half not as much of a spectacle as the first. New signing Jeremy Monga threatened to light it up as he finished confidently in the box, but it was ruled out for handball.

Omar Marmoush seemed determined to mark his return to the side with a goal, but substitute All Star goalkeeper Gu Sung-Yun twice produced sharp saves to deny the Egyptian, meaning that the scoreline remained untroubled in the second-half; City will be happy with another good day’s work in this pre-season tour though.

Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s first win of pre-season against K-League All Stars!

Starting XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6

Tried to break lines with his passing, some of it successful and some of it less so. Will be disappointed to be caught out at his near post for the strike which beat him.

Rico Lewis – 7.5

A right-back in name for the most part, as Lewis spent much of his time inverting into midfield. Largely played things neatly and simply, but had a nice hand in Reijnders’ goal.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

Rarely required to make the sort of eye-catching defensive interventions we know he can. Progressed the ball smartly in his half on the pitch.

Ruben Dias – 6

Only recently joined the team following his post-World Cup break, and looked a little sluggish as a result. Saw a lot of the ball but made the occasional error, and couldn’t shut down the shot for Kim’s goal.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Reverted to that old left-back role from which we know he can do damage. Largely played a supporting role to Ait-Nouri though, mostly holding the width and remaining a part of the backline.

Mateo Kovacic – 6.5

Kovacic as a lone holding midfielder has always been a game of give-and-take for City, which was evident again today. The Croatian played some incisive passes and carried out of trouble serenely, but also gave away some cheap passes and was bypassed in transition.

Tijjani Reijnders – 8

Exactly the midfielder’s type of game, with big spaces to drive into and the evasiveness to drift into pockets unmarked. He did the latter to great effect before scoring.

Phil Foden – 7

The wait goes on for Foden to get back into his attacking groove on this tour, but the 26-year-old was a controlling presence here, turning well at times. Maybe ought to have scored when put clean through, but was unlucky in the ball striking his standing leg.

Antoine Semenyo – 8.5 (POTM)

This is beginning to look like a very fine tour for the forward. His dribbling, as against Inter, was irresistible, and he put it to use to carve out numerous chances, including the second and third goals.

Divin Mubama – 7.5

Had more success in his hold-up attempts here than on Saturday, receiving direct passes from the defence and bringing his teammates into play. Was also well-positioned to tap in his second goal in two games this pre-season.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8

He’s always been a full-back with a flavour of a forward to him, and that was on show here. The Algerian finished his chance on his weak foot with aplomb, and produced other pieces of wing play to suggest that this could be an option for City going into the season proper.

Substitutes

Marcus Bettinelli – 6.5

Faced little coming towards his goal, with Kim’s effort off the post unable to call him into action. Collected a few crosses easily enough.

Vitor Reis – 7

Another confident showing from the Brazilian, having license to roam further forward at times and doing good work on and off the ball.

Max Alleyne – 6

Didn’t have much defending to do, but led the ball-playing from the back in the second-half.

Stephen Mfuni – 6

Slotted in again in the left-back role he played on Saturday, tucking in where necessary to cover for Reis when he moved forward.

Nico Gonzalez – 7

Showed his qualities with some neat midfield footwork to get out of tight zones, and was keen to press high too.

Savinho – 7

Looked to carry on from his bright display against Inter, and was again a handful for the defenders he went up against. Unlucky to be kept out by some great saves from Gu.

Matheus Nunes – 6.5

Didn’t seem to miss a beat in his first game of the tour, working his way out of some pressurised situations. Was denied by the goalkeeper late on.

Jayden Heskey – 6.5

Bit into his tackles and looked a composed midfield presence.

Claudio Echeverri – 6

Drifted around the forward line but couldn’t quite get involved to the extent of some of his teammates.

Jeremy Monga – 7

A promising unofficial debut for the young signing from Leicester, as he was confident in taking on men and attempting shots from range. Unfortunate to be denied his goal by the brush of a hand.

Omar Marmoush – 7

It took some quality stops from Gu to keep him out.