First blood for Maresca as City ease past K-League All Stars in Seoul

First win on the board

There was a first victory of the Enzo Maresca era on Wednesday evening, as City made light work of the K-League All Stars in Seoul. The 3-1 scoreline was settled inside a lively first half that offered a glimpse of what this side might look like going forward.

The goals came in a burst before the break, with Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Divin Mubama all on target. The All Stars pulled one back through Kim Dae-Won, but the second half never quite caught fire, and City saw the job through.

How it unfolded

City's opener was scrappy in origin but no less welcome. Reijnders did the hard part on the right flank, twisting beyond two defenders before delivering a low cross. Mubama could not quite reach it, but the deflection fell kindly for Ait-Nouri, who finished on his weaker right foot.

The lead lasted barely a moment. With their first shot of the match, the All Stars were level, Iago keeping a channel ball alive and finding Kim, whose effort from the edge of the area nutmegged Ruben Dias and squirmed past Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post.

Normal service resumed shortly after. Rico Lewis's pass into Antoine Semenyo was backheeled by the Ghanaian, possibly intending to return it to the overlapping full-back, but the ball instead found Reijnders, who drilled an accurate finish into the bottom corner.

"It landed with Reijnders instead, and the Dutchman drilled an accurate finish into the bottom corner."

It should have been four before the half-hour, Semenyo again the provider with a driven cross that flashed straight past Mubama. Phil Foden then ought to have scored when clean through but struck his own standing leg as he shaped to shoot. At the other end, Lewis was required to put off Iago as the striker shaped to convert a header.

Second-half drift

A host of changes at the interval did little to slow the early tempo, with Foden, Reijnders and Ait-Nouri all seeing efforts saved in a whirlwind start to the second period. Kim Ju-Chan then hit the post for the All Stars on a quick break.

Further substitutions after the hour, by which point City had changed their entire outfield, did disrupt the game as a spectacle. There was still time for new signing Jeremy Monga to threaten a debut goal, finishing confidently in the box only to see it ruled out for handball. Omar Marmoush, back in the side and seemingly determined to mark his return, was twice denied by substitute goalkeeper Gu Sung-Yun.

Player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6: Tried to break lines with his passing, some of it successful, some of it less so. Will be disappointed to be caught out at his near post for the goal.

Rico Lewis – 6: A right-back in name for the most part, spending much of his time inverting into midfield. Played things neatly and had a nice hand in Reijnders' goal.

Ruben Dias – 6: Rarely required to make the sort of eye-catching interventions we know he can, but progressed the ball smartly in his half.

Mateo Kovacic – 6: Only recently back following his post-World Cup break and looked a little sluggish. Saw plenty of the ball but made the occasional error and couldn't shut down the shot for Kim's goal. The lone holding midfielder role remains a game of give-and-take; some incisive passes and serene carries out of trouble, but also cheap giveaways and being bypassed in transition.

Tijjani Reijnders – 7: Exactly his type of game, with big spaces to drive into and the evasiveness to drift into pockets unmarked. He did the latter to great effect before scoring.

Phil Foden – 6: A controlling presence, turning well at times. Maybe ought to have scored when put clean through, but was unlucky in the ball striking his standing leg.

Antoine Semenyo – 8.5 (Player of the Match): His dribbling was irresistible, and he put it to use to carve out numerous chances, including the second and third goals.

Divin Mubama – 7: Had more success in his hold-up attempts here than on Saturday, and was well-positioned to tap in his second goal in two games this pre-season.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7: Finished his chance on his weak foot with aplomb and produced other pieces of wing play to suggest this could be an option for City going into the season proper.

Marcus Bettinelli – 6.5: Faced little coming towards his goal, with Kim's effort off the post unable to call him into action. Collected a few crosses easily enough.

Substitutes and other performers: Another confident showing from the Brazilian, having license to roam further forward at times and doing good work on and off the ball. Didn't have much defending to do, but led the ball-playing from the back in the second-half. Slotted in again in the left-back role he played on Saturday, tucking in where necessary to cover for Reis when he moved forward. Showed his qualities with some neat midfield footwork to get out of tight zones, and was keen to press high too. Looked to carry on from his bright display against Inter, and was again a handful for the defenders he went up against. Unlucky to be kept out by some great saves from Gu. Didn't seem to miss a beat in his first game of the tour, working his way out of some pressurised situations. Was denied by the goalkeeper late on. Bit into his tackles and looked a composed midfield presence. Drifted around the forward line but couldn't quite get involved to the extent of some of his teammates. Jeremy Monga had a promising unofficial debut for the young signing from Leicester, confident in taking on men and attempting shots from range, unfortunate to be denied by the brush of a hand. It took some quality stops from Gu to keep him out.