Manchester City beat Palermo

Manchester City wrap up their pre-season with a 3-0 win over Palermo, with Haaland on target and Reijnders delivering an impressive performance.

Man City beat Palermo as Haaland scores Reijnders shines

Manchester City closed their pre-season with a 3-0 win against Palermo. Erling Haaland opened the scoring and Tijjani Reijnders struck twice to seal the victory. James Trafford started in goal for the first time, while John Stones returned after a six-month absence. Pep Guardiola rotated heavily at half-time, making ten changes and finishing with Divine Mukasa entering for Haaland on the hour. City’s defense also earned a clean sheet despite a few tense moments.

The result and the performance offer football fans a sense of momentum heading into the competitive fixtures. Reijnders looked the standout in attack, suggesting he could play a crucial role in City’s evolving midfield shape. Haaland’s goal tally remains a constant threat, even when the team isn’t firing at full tilt. The lineup changes show Guardiola’s plan to manage minutes across a demanding schedule while testing combinations in a high-stakes environment. Translating this pre-season rhythm into Premier League consistency will be City’s real test.

Highlights

Momentum matters as City head into the new season with opportunity