Barcelona and Manchester City performed out an exciting 3-3 draw in Wednesday’s charity friendly at Camp Nou.
The two sides agreed to play this friendly to lift cash for The Luzon Foundation, which affords help to those that endure with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in honour of Juan Carlos Unzue, a former Barcelona participant and coach who was recognized with the situation two years in the past.
Before kick-off, all eyes had been on Pep Guardiola’s lineup and whether or not he would come with long-time Barcelona goal Bernardo Silva in his squad. Pre-game reviews had steered the Portugal worldwide can be dropped, however Silva would go on to start out the sport in midfield and his title was met with a pleasant spherical of applause from the house supporters when it was learn out.
Barcelona practically took the lead just some minutes in as Jules Kounde, who continues to be not registered to play in La Liga, fired in a cross which discovered Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose header from six yards out went straight at Stefan Ortega in the City internet.
The hosts fully dominated possession in the early levels however a string of offsides from each staff prevented the sport from discovering any actual fluidity.
Against the run of play, it was City who took the lead 21 minutes in by way of Julian Alvarez, who prodded dwelling after Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena dropped a routine cross proper at his ft. A nightmare for the younger stopper.
Another error, this time from Kounde, practically gifted City a second. Young midfielder Cole Palmer collected the ball in area however shot when he ought to have handed, sending his effort over the bar.
Minutes later, Barcelona had been degree by way of Aubameyang, whose candy volley went beneath Ortega and into the again of the City internet.
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The second half started with some glorious possibilities for City. Alvarez by some means fluffed his effort from shut vary earlier than seeing his rebound saved as effectively, and a 3rd effort from Riyad Mahrez finally flew huge.
City had been on high for the opening levels of the second 45, however it was Barcelona who took the lead 66 minutes in. Frenkie de Jong, who loved a wonderful recreation, completed off after Kevin De Bruyne was caught in possession.
Almost instantly after, Alvarez missed the prospect to tie issues up. Pena saved one other shot proper into his path, however this time, the younger Argentine couldn’t management his effort and despatched the ball flying over the bar. Fortunately, City weren’t licking their wounds for too lengthy as Palmer tapped in following a Joao Cancelo cross.
Memphis Depay missed an opportunity to equalise earlier than lastly discovering the again of the online with ten minutes to go, though the clock ticked effectively over 90 as play was halted to handle a nasty head damage to younger City defender Luke Mbete, who was stretchered off the pitch.
With the clock displaying 98, City had been awarded a penalty as Andreas Christensen clipped the heels of Erling Haaland, and up stepped Mahrez to transform from the spot to make sure this unbelievable occasion ended on the next word.