The Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo provided the perfect summer backdrop as the Italian side hosted Manchester City in a highly anticipated friendly on August 9, 2025. With both clubs under the umbrella of the City Football Group, the encounter had an extra layer of intrigue, blending competitive spirit with mutual respect. From the opening whistle, Manchester City’s crisp passing and positional rotations hinted at their Premier League pedigree, while Palermo looked to soak up pressure and counter with speed in front of their home crowd.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Erling Haaland, as ruthless as ever, latched onto a well-timed ball from Rico Lewis. With a single touch to set himself, the Norwegian forward drilled a low strike into the bottom-left corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted. This early lead allowed City to dictate the tempo, recycling possession and wearing down Palermo’s defensive shape. Despite their best efforts, the hosts found themselves pinned back for long spells, struggling to mount sustained attacks.
The second half saw Manchester City introduce fresh legs, and with them came a new wave of intensity. Tijjani Reijnders, making his debut following a move from AC Milan, wasted little time making his presence felt. In the 59th minute, he combined neatly with Savinho, slipping into the box before dispatching a precise shot beyond the keeper. The goal not only doubled City’s advantage but also showcased Reijnders’ knack for timing his runs perfectly—a quality that promises to add another dimension to Pep Guardiola’s midfield.
Palermo, urged on by coach Filippo Inzaghi, tried to respond, pressing higher up the pitch in search of a lifeline. However, this approach left gaps for City to exploit, and Reijnders took full advantage. In the 82nd minute, he capped off a memorable debut by netting his second goal of the evening, arriving late into the area to meet a cross with a composed finish. By then, the result was beyond doubt, and City’s travelling supporters were already celebrating a polished pre-season performance.
The 3-0 scoreline reflected Manchester City’s dominance but also offered Palermo valuable lessons ahead of their Serie B campaign. For City, the match served as both a fitness exercise and a statement of depth, with new signings like Reijnders slotting in seamlessly. For the Rosanero, sharing the pitch with one of Europe’s elite provided a benchmark to aspire to, as well as a morale boost from the passionate home support. In the end, it was a night where quality shone through, but the spirit of football—and the connections between the two clubs—took centre stage.
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Watch and Download Palermo vs Manchester City full match replay and highlights, At Saturday, August 09, 2025. The match played at Stadio Renzo Barbera in Friendly.
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