Manchester City formally begins its football preparation for the 2022/23 season with a friendly against América de México. The meeting will take place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, in the United States, and will also be the first of Julián Álvarez as a player in the English cast, after having been training for a week under the orders of Pep Guardiola.
La Araña started as a starter and will seek to score his first goals with City. Guardiola himself spoke highly of the team’s reinforcements in these early days: “In the training sessions we want them to grow. We will make sure to contain them well”said the Spaniard, referring to the former River but also to Erling Haaland, Stefan Ortega and Kalvin Phillips, the other new faces on the squad.
This was Julián’s match
In general terms, it was a discreet first half for Manchester City against America. He managed possession of the ball and Kevin De Bruyne scored both goals as the Citizens went into the break 2-1 up. Julián moved all over the attacking front, was a constant offloading option for his teammates and combined well with De Bruyne on a few occasions, but was never left in front of the goal.
His most interesting move in the first half was an excellent pivot in midfield (he received a pass from Ake) to enable De Bruyne, who had already imagined the move in his head and asked the central defender to give it to Julián to make the wall. In the middle, he had to break up a crowd between Grealish and goalkeeper Ochoa.
In the second, the former River continued to play as a center forward in the 4-3-3 (he always pressed the exit and was the team’s first defender) and never stopped showing himself, despite the fact that Grealish and De Bruyne almost always chose to make the personal move and not partner. With the game somewhat distorted by the large number of changes made by America, Julián was replaced at 70 minutes by the youthful Liam Delap.
He could not kick the goal, but in his first presentation the Spider showed what he is made of. Sacrifice, intensity and effort will never be lacking. Also, was the player who received the most fouls (3). As the games go by, he will surely understand better with his new teammates and the goals will begin to arrive.
Manchester City vs. America: the formations of the friendly
Manchester City: Ortega Moreno; Walker, Mbete, Ake, Cancelo; Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Grealish, Mahrez; Alvarez.
America: Ochoa; Sanchez, Lara, Araujo, Fuentes; Sanchez, Dos Santos; Zendejas, Valdez, Fidalgo; Henry.
Manchester City vs. America: How to watch the friendly LIVE?
The match of Manchester City vs. America will be played this Wednesday, July 20 at the NRG Stadium in Houston and can be seen on the ESPN 3 screen.
What channel can you watch in Argentina?
Schedule and TV by country
Argentina: 9:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 3
Brazil: 9:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 4
Uruguay: 9:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 3
Chile: 8:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 3
USA: 20:30 ET by TUDN
Colombia: 7:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 3
Peru: 7:30 p.m. on Star + and ESPN 3
Mexico: 7:30 p.m. on TUDN and ViX
