Celtic secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester City in an exhibition match held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
The game marked an interesting start to City’s preseason tour across the United States, which saw them field a largely inexperienced squad following a weather-related evacuation.
The match faced a weather-related delay, leading to a brief evacuation of the stadium.
This disruption contributed to Manchester City’s decision to play a young lineup, with key players like Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, and Kalvin Phillips resting.
The clash also featured Kasper Schmeichel’s debut for Celtic, where he made a few notable saves in the first half.
Early Goals and Tactical Insights
Celtic’s Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn opened the scoring, but Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb quickly leveled the match. Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi and Kuhn added two more goals before halftime, giving Celtic a 3-1 lead.
Bobb later assisted Haaland, and Máximo Perrone also scored for City. However, Luis Palma’s goal in the 68th minute ultimately secured the win for Celtic.
City’s Youthful Performance
Manchester City’s lineup for the game featured nine academy graduates, with an average age of just 20.5 years.
This youthful squad, including a notably experienced Ederson, struggled against a sharper Celtic side. Guardiola’s men seemed unsettled, particularly in central midfield, which led to several goals for Celtic.
Haaland Shows Promise
Kasper Schmeichel, returning to familiar territory against City, showcased his skill with crucial saves.
Erling Haaland, fresh from a break, impressed with his performance, scoring a header from Bobb’s cross.
Despite the loss, Haaland’s play demonstrated his readiness for the upcoming season.
Bobb’s Potential Shines
Oscar Bobb had a standout performance with a goal and two assists.
The 21-year-old showed a strong desire to improve, reflecting on the consistency of players like Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.
Bobb expressed patience regarding his development and potential playing time, a positive sign for City’s future.
Weather Woes and Fan Experience
As with previous tours, weather issues impacted the match, though fortunately, no rain fell during the game.
The early weather warnings and subsequent evacuation were reminiscent of past tour disruptions.
Despite these challenges, the match proceeded with a slight delay and drew a crowd of 31,000.
Doyle’s Brief Appearance and Loan Prospects
Callum Doyle, one of City’s young talents, featured briefly in the second half.
Expected to join Norwich City on loan, Doyle will continue his development in the Championship.
Additionally, City is negotiating transfers for other players, including Yan Couto and Issa Kabore, with interest from Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray, respectively.
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