Here are just a few of the most enjoyable…
City 2-1 Celtic - Craig Bellamy
This was a landmark game in itself...after all it was the first time we got to see the likes of Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry in City colours on their new home pitch.
The match was tied at 1-1 deep into the second half when Wayne Bridge carried the ball out of defence and played it into the feet of Bellamy. The Welshman twisted and turned before firing through the defender’s legs and into the opposite corner to seal the victory for Mark Hughes.
City 2-0 Club America – Shaun Wright-Phillips
City got their preparations for the famous 2011/12 season under way against Mexican side Club America in San Francisco.
After an early goal from Academy graduate Ryan McGivern, Roberto Mancini’s City went straight back on the attack. Edin Dzeko fought off the attention of several Club America defenders before squaring to Wright-Phillips who drilled home from 25 yards in typical fashion.
City 5-3 Milan – Edin Dzeko
City began their semi-final of the bi-annual pre-season tournament at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on fire against Italian giants Milan.
After 32 minutes the Blues found themselves 4-0 up but the best was still to come. As Yaya Toure received the ball in midfield, he looked up and picked out Dzeko on the penalty spot. The Bosnian striker took the ball down on his chest before turning and firing home with his left foot.
The Blues survived a second-half onslaught from Milan to see themselves through to the final.
City 5-1 Milan – Kelechi Iheanacho
Another pre-season friendly against Milan and another first-half rout; this time in Pittsburgh.
Pre-season is a time for trying new things and Manuel Pellegrini picked this tour to field little-known striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
At 3-0 up and 25 minutes in the Nigerian received the ball just inside the box, worked some space for a shot and poked the ball past the goalkeeper to announce his talent on his biggest stage yet.
City 8-1 Vietnam – Raheem Sterling
Okay, not the most illustrious opposition but this was a strike that would have beat even the best goalkeepers in the world.
The Blues were already 1-0 up in Hanoi as David Silva navigated his way to the edge of the box before passing left to Sterling who, without a touch to set himself, curled his strike inside the goalkeeper’s far post.
Tour games:
Bayern Munich v City, Wednesday, 20 July (Munich)
City v United, Monday, 25 July, (Beijing)
City v Dortmund, Thursday, 28 July, (Shenzhen)
Arsenal v City, Sunday, 7 August, (Gothenburg)
