Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions tasted successes in the Wembley showpiece against our nearest rivals, securing a dramatic 7-6 win on penalties – with Akanji netting the decisive spot-kick – after the sides had drawn 1-1 over 90 minutes.
It was City’s first success in the Community Shield since back in 2019.
And according to Akanji it also represented the ideal way to finalise preparations ahead of next weekend’s start to the 2024/25 league campaign.
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“We got the better side of it. It’s the first trophy of the season so it gives us confidence,” said the Swiss international.
“It’s my first Community Shield so I’m really happy that we won it.
“It wasn’t an easy game – in the end it came to penalties, and they aren’t easy.
“It’s a great start to the season and I’m really happy about it.
“We came here and we showed up.”
For Akanji it was an immediate return to action given he had only returned to training earlier this week following his summer EURO 2024 exertions with Switzerland.
And for the central defender it was a more than useful work-out and one that carried numerous encouraging portents ahead of City’s defence of the Premier League trophy which begins away at Chelsea next Sunday, kick-off 16.30pm (BST).
“It’s a good start to the season. Performance-wise we could have done some things better but it’s still early,” Akanji acknowledged.
“We know we can always come back, especially if we’re in the game.
“There were times where we were better and times when United were better.
“In the end, 1-1 was a fair result. It’s the first official game of the season so we’ve still got things to improve on.”
