Manchester City fell to a 3-2 loss against AC Milan as the Premier League champions were defeated in a pre-season friendly in New York.
Erling Haaland gave City the lead at Yankee Stadium with a left-footed shot from an Oscar Bobb pull-back.
Lorenzo Colombo equalized and swiftly added a second goal for the Italian side, giving them the lead at halftime.
James McAtee scored with a header to make it 2-2 for City, but Marco Nasti secured AC Milan’s victory with a first-time shot from the edge of the box web cá độ đá banh.
“We were improved compared to the first game,” said City manager Pep Guardiola, whose team had lost 4-3 to Celtic in their opening pre-season match.
“This is a big improvement in competition, there have been no more injuries, so we will have more time to play. Now we head to another game in a few days.”
Table of Contents
Buendia makes comeback for Villa
Aston Villa also suffered a defeat on their pre-season tour in the United States, losing 4-1 to Columbus Crew. Midfielder Emi Buendia made his return from a long-term knee injury during the match.
Buendia, who had been out since suffering a knee ligament injury last August, entered the game alongside Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen, who were making their first appearances for Villa after joining the club in the summer, after 63 minutes with the score already at 4-1.
“The best news is his return,” said Villa manager Unai Emery. “Emiliano Buendia’s comeback after a year out.
“We’re pleased to have him back, and now we need to work with him to gradually get the best out of him.”
“The first 30 minutes he played were fantastic for us and the team,” said Emery.
Cucho Hernandez scored twice for Columbus before Cameron Archer pulled one back for Villa. Hernandez then completed his hat-trick, and Dylan Chambost added another goal to put the Major League Soccer side ahead 4-1.
“Of course, the result isn’t ideal, but right now, the result isn’t our main focus,” Emery added.
“The important thing to do every time a match takes place is to clearly understand the situation of the players on the team as well as the situation of the opponents, and their recent achievements. This was the first match for some of them, and they performed well. Even in defeat, they showed positive signs.”
Lopetegui falls to his former team
New West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui’s team faced a 3-1 defeat against his former club Wolves in a pre-season friendly in Jacksonville, Florida.
The match, delayed due to stormy weather, saw Matheus Cunha score first for Wolves before being forced off with an injury.
Mohammed Kudus equalized for the Hammers just before halftime, but two goals from Rodrigo Gomes after the break secured the win for Wolves.
“It’s disappointing. The game’s delay and the wet pitch made things challenging; they work so hard and are finely tuned, so it doesn’t take much to disrupt them.
“Matheus is crucial to us, but the initial signs aren’t too concerning. He won’t be risked again until he’s fully recovered, so I should be able to provide an update in the next few days.”
Lopetegui, who has succeeded David Moyes as West Ham manager, stated that the Hammers “need to improve in many areas with and without the ball.”
He added, “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
In other matches, Brighton defeated Tokyo Verdy 4-2 at the National Stadium in Japan.
Jan Paul van Hecke gave the Seagulls the lead, and although Yudai Kimura equalized, summer signing Yankuba Minteh quickly restored Brighton’s advantage.
Simon Adingra extended the lead to 3-1, and despite Naoki Hayashi pulling one back for Tokyo Verdy with a header, Jeremy Sarmiento sealed Brighton’s victory.
