Haaland hits winner as City beat Bayern Munich

The Norwegian striker had barely touched the ball before Kevin De Bruyne picked up possession outside the Bayern Munich box, fed Jack Grealish and his pass across the six-yard box was slid home by Haaland.

What a start to life in sky blue!

The game, which had been delayed 15 minutes due to an electrical storm, was then paused as another storm passed over Lambeau Field, causing the referee to take the players off and allow the near-80,000 crowd to take refuge on the concourses.

City had already gone close to opening the scoring twice though shots by De Bruyne and Grealish that whistled a foot wide of either post.

Bayern also had the ball in the net in those opening minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

After almost a 45-minute delay, the players came back out, warmed up and the game resumed.

Haaland was quickly in the action again, racing onto a long ball and into the box with defenders chasing behind, but he was denied as he cut back inside of a challenge when he looked about to square to Riyad Mahrez.

And our new No.9 netted again on 40 minutes, burying a cushioned pass from Bernardo past Manuel Neuer, but the assistant referee’s flag meant it was ruled out – harshly, judging by the TV replays.

That was the last action of the slightly truncated first-half, with a five-minute interlude following during which Julian Alvarez replaced the Norwegian.

Alvarez was quickly into the action and fired a low shot across goal and just wide of the right-hand post.

The impressive Josh Esbrand-Wilson and Mahrez also had half-chances as City continued to control proceedings.

Rico Lewis came on for the final couple of minutes and struck the post, but - perhaps because it was written in the stars - Erling Haaland‘s goal settled the game in Green Bay.

PROMISING LINK-UP

It was no surprise that Jack Grealish assisted Erling Haaland’s first City goal.

The England star, operating down the left flank, linked up well with Haaland throughout the first-half and there seems to be a good understanding between the two already.

The whole team are learning how all our new arrivals operate, but this was a glimpse of what could be a very productive partnership.

SHARP CITY

Given this was only our second game of the summer, it was business as usual for slick City who pinged the ball around with the customary confidence, we have become so familiar with.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand impressed at left-back and Nathan Ake was again solid alongside Ruben Dias in central defence.

It seems that Guardiola has his troops so well-drilled, it is now second nature to zip the ball about without fear.

The season starts in earnest against Liverpool next weekend and City look ready to hit the ground running.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Non-stop action, an assist and a bruising game for Jack Grealish, who never hid despite a second successive game full of kicks and late challenges.

Impressive stuff.

TEAMS

CITY:  Ederson, Dias (Walker 57), Ake, Cancelo, Wilson-Esbrand (Lewis 81), Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo (Phillips 69), Mahrez (Palmer 69), Haaland (Alvarez 41), Grealish

Substitutes: Stefan Ortega, Carson, Kayky, Delap, Bobb, Mbete, McAtee, Burns, Knight

BAYERN MUNICH: Neuer, Upamecano, Pavard, Kimmich, Gnabry, Sane, Coman, Sabitzer, Davies, Hernandez, Müller

UP NEXT

City take on Liverpool next Saturday in the FA Community Shield.

The match kicks off at 17:00 (BST) and will be played at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.