There was a certain anticipation at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Finally, we were going to get Rayan Cherki's first steps in the Manchester City jersey at the Club World Cup. A week after his arrival at his new club for €42.5 million , the former Lyon player started against Wydad Casablanca alongside Foden, Savinho and Doku, supporting Marmoush. Reijnders also started in a starting XI heavily reshuffled by Guardiola. He retained his usual starters like Dias, Stones, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and of course Haaland. Enough to promise some options and prepare for all eventualities.
Even opening the scoring from the first foray. Dako's acceleration down the left left the defense stuck. Benabid blocked Savinho's shot but not Foden's, who was well-positioned to win the ball back (1-0, 2nd). In addition to opening the scoring, the start of the match was clearly favorable to the English, who applied themselves to pressing. Each breakthrough challenged the opposing defense (18th, 25th) until the intensity dropped a notch. WAC then took advantage to get a breath of fresh air and finally break out of their own half. There was even a huge opportunity that should have ended up in the back of the net if Lorch hadn't slipped against Ederson.
Cherki discreet for his first
Instead, the left winger found his balance at the last minute to play Mailula, who arrived at full speed, but his shot failed in front of the Brazilian goalkeeper (32nd). The Africans finished the first half much better, before cracking again. While Cherki's good cross, timid for this first, for Foden failed to reach Benabid (37th), Doku sprang perfectly at the far post from a corner taken by the English attacking midfielder to double the lead (2-0, 42nd). The second half promised to be complicated for Wydad, stunned by this second goal just before the break. The intentions weakened as the match progressed and the Skyblues redoubled their passes.
The defense even came close to self-sabotage with Meijers' mistake, which Doku failed to capitalize on (54th). The arrival of the usual starters on the pitch (Rodri and Haaland in particular in place of Foden and Cherki) did not help matters for the Moroccans. The Cityzens had control of a match that was slowly losing intensity, the heat also becoming more and more felt. Haaland's opportunity at the edge of the box, a powerful left-hand shot over the bar (74th), was one of the few things to be sank. Manchester City, who finished with ten men after Lewis's red card for excessive commitment (88th), started the competition well and took the lead in Group G where Al Ain face Juventus tonight (3 a.m., French time).
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