Chicago: Premier League champions Manchester City started their pre-season campaign on a losing note as Borussia Dortmund captain Mario Gotze’s first half penalty was enough to see off Pep Guardiola’s men at Soldier Field in Chicago, Saturday.
With most of the Premier League title winning squad enjoying an extended break after a gruelling World Cup, Guardiola’s highly inexperienced, young team were unable to get the better of a Dortmund side who have already played one game this summer and looked far sharper in the opening match of this year’s International Champions Cup tournament.
Gotze’s winner came in the 28th minute when American international Christian Pulisic was hauled down in the box by Alex Zinchenko, allowing the midfielder who famously scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final to beat Claudio Bravo. Alexander Isak almost made it two soon after.
New Signing Mahrez who signed for City for USD 75 million from Leicester made his debut while the precocious young English midfielder Phil Foden also got a start.
Mahrez was City’s best player, a decent run and cross midway through the first half showcased his attacking threat but Guardiola will be disappointed about the lack of cutting edge on show.
Jack Harrison should have done better just before the interval when he miscued a shot from close range and then Mahrez forced a great save from Dortmund keeper Marwin Hitz.
Former Etihad starlet Jadon Sancho, who quit the Premier League club for Dortmund last August following a fall-out with Guardiola, was introduced in the second half and began promisingly.
Joe Hart, the former England keeper, was making his first City appearance since August 2016 but it was opposite number Hitz who was almost beaten on 55 minutes when another Mahrez set-piece flew just past the post.
The Algerian’s cute pass set Lukas Nmecha through on 70 minutes but his finish was lacking before Hart produced an excellent point blank save to deny Mahmoud Dahoud. Dortmund, however, held firm to seal a deserved win.