The International Champions Cup has come to life after Manchester City defeated AS Roma in a nail-biting penalty shootout, following a highly entertaining affair which ended at 2-2 after normal time.
Saturday night’s hero, Seydou Keita, had his vital penalty saved by Joe Hart, who also denied Seydou Doumbia’s clumsy ‘paneka’, leaving City to take the advantage and win the contest.
In what was an attacking spectacle for the MCG crowd, tournament organisers would have been rapt with the quality of football after an underwhelming start on Saturday night.
It only took Raheem Sterling 140 seconds to open his scoring account for Manchester City, with all eyes at the MCG on the prodigious English talent on debut.
City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho completed an excellent game, scoring in the 50th minute, after providing the assist for Sterling in the first-half, while stunning goals from Miralem Pjanic and Adem Ljajic ensured both sides would head to penalites.
This is why Joe Hart is trending worldwide. #mcfc #cityontour (Vine by @MCFC) https://t.co/oFTOI2SHhh
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 21, 2015
Fans get their money’s worth this time around
After Saturday night’s dull affair between Real Madrid and Roma, the fans definitely got their money’s worth this time around. Four goals, end-to-end action and an exciting penalty shootout finish, which is exactly what ICC organisers hoped for the first fixture. A relatively mediocre crowd of 41,134 were on the edge of their seat for much of the game, gasping at every missed chance and erupting into cheers for every goal, including an absolutely stunning free-kick equaliser from Ljajic at the death. The ICC delivered with this football match, kudos to Roma and Manchester City for putting on a football feast.
https://youtu.be/DRZQ8KQSplg
Slip, slop and stunner for Sterling
Raheem Sterling endured quite a bizarre opening three minutes to his Manchester City career, slipping over with the ball with his first touch before calmly slotting home his first City goal after just three minutes. Sterling pounced on a brilliant pass by youngster Kelechi Iheanacho before clinically putting the ball past Morgan De Sanctis in goal to give City the lead. The former Liverpool star was flashy thereafter without starring, but had a golden chance to double his tally midway through the half, only for De Sanctis to wonderfully keep his header out. Despite the conjecture surrounding his departure from Liverpool, it looks like money well spent so far for the Sky Blues.
Sterling’s first goal for @MCFC! #ICC2015 #ICCMELB pic.twitter.com/H6TmcvtIx3
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 21, 2015
Miralem Pjanic showing why all the big clubs in Europe are chasing him
Not long after Sterling’s opener, Miralem Pjanic showed why he is touted as one of the best midfield talents in Europe, putting an absolute thunderbolt past Willy Caballero into the top corner. Many of the big European clubs, including Liverpool, have reportedly been vying for his signature, but the Bosnian has recently committed his future to Roma, at least for the short-term. The 25-year-old’s valuation stands at €45m and there is no reason to suggest he is not worth every cent.
Pjanic’s screamer for @ASRoma! #ICC2015#ICCMELBpic.twitter.com/LZQarbbuvn
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 21, 2015
Roma lack a striker, City have found one
It was evident throughout the first-half that Roma were just one quality striker up front from putting one or two more goals in the back of the net. Despite how good Francesco Totti has been for the club, it is clear to see that he perhaps is not as effective around the goal as he used to be, and Roma could do with another striker to assist him. That man may be Eden Dzeko, who ironically warmed the bench for City for the whole match.
On the other hand, City have found one in young Iheanacho, who provided one goal and an assist in a stellar peformance. The 18-year-old is touted as the future of Nigerian football, and is one to watch for Sky Blues fans.
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