Tijjani Reijnders laid down a marker forward of the Premier League’s return with two targets as Manchester Metropolis beat Palermo 3-0 in Sicily.
Reijnders was a half-time substitute however scored two elegant, related targets from spectacular late runs into the field to seal victory for Pep Guardiola’s facet of their one and solely pre-season sport earlier than subsequent weekend’s top-flight kick-off.
Guardiola additionally named James Trafford in his beginning line-up following his £27m transfer from Burnley – however the England goalkeeper contributed to a shaky begin to the sport for Metropolis.
Trafford’s sloppiness in possession led to one of many large possibilities that Palermo spurned within the first half. After his clearance was closed down by Matteo Brunori, the ensuing nook noticed Pietro Ceccaroni head vast from a number of yards out.
Palermo had extra possibilities to interrupt the impasse, exposing an unconvincing Metropolis on the counter-attack however, ultimately, Erling Haaland struck.
The ahead was discovered by the spectacular Rayan Cherki simply exterior the realm and located the underside nook together with his weaker proper foot.
Palermo had a superb probability to stage however Trafford held Joel Pohjanpalo’s header after Abdukodir Khusanov briefly switched off, however Metropolis put their foot on the pedal with Cherki working the present.
The Frenchman practically bought a deserved purpose himself as he regarded set to faucet house Oscar Bobb’s reduce after good play from Nico Gonzalez. However his effort from a number of yards out was cleared off the road by Salim Diakite.
That was certainly one of Cherki’s final involvements of the sport as Guardiola substituted everybody bar Haaland at half-time. Nevertheless it was Cherki’s direct substitute Reijinders who doubled the lead shortly after approaching.
Tijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring Metropolis’s second
The Dutch midfielder, who joined from AC Milan this summer season, made a wise run into the realm to latch onto Savinho’s move and hearth into the far nook.
Reijnders practically bought a second purpose from a really related transfer however his effort was well-saved. But it will not be too lengthy earlier than he bought on the scoresheet once more as he picked up a intelligent flick from Divine Mukasa – with the Dutchman ending in the identical nook as his first purpose.
Reijnders may have had a hat-trick within the dying moments as he gained the ball excessive up for a one-on-one and rounded Palermo goalkeeper Alfred Gomis – however tripped over himself on the all-important second.
However the sport simply confirmed that alongside Cherki, Metropolis have two gems in midfield as they put together for his or her Premier League opener towards Wolves subsequent Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Evaluation: Cherki and Reijnders can change De Bruyne – however can they play collectively?
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
The query: how do you change Kevin de Bruyne? The reply may effectively be Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.
Such is De Bruyne’s high quality and legacy at Metropolis that Pep Guardiola wanted to signal two gamers in that place to fill his boots. However proper now, the duo appear to be the right tonic.
Cherki has the potential to be an influential determine in Metropolis’s assault this season. He touched the ball 70 instances throughout his 45-minute first-half spell – greater than another participant who featured for Metropolis on Saturday evening – displaying how a lot his team-mates belief him on the ball.
It wasn’t simply how usually the Frenchman bought on the ball, but additionally what he did with it. Out of his 61 passes, 20 of them had been ahead and 37 of them had been within the opposition half. He was always and efficiently on the lookout for the gaps and he discovered an all-important one to arrange Erling Haaland’s opener.
Then, on got here Reijnders in the identical place, who confirmed a distinct facet to that attacking midfield function. Whereas Cherki impressed with carrying the ball, the Dutchman stole the present by his working off the ball.
The 27-year-old had 4 photographs after approaching – twice as many as the subsequent greatest participant on the pitch – and all of them got here from off the ball working.
Reijnders has already proven a robust reference to Savinho, who performed a giant function in each of his targets, whereas he additionally confirmed the defensive facet of his sport, successful all 4 of his duels.
Placing it merely, Cherki and Reijnders have proved they each have the ability to unite Metropolis’s attacking gamers. The one query is whether or not they can play collectively. If they’ll achieve this efficiently, then Guardiola might have title-winning firepower once more.
Extra to observe.
Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 dwell Premier League video games from subsequent season
Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 dwell Premier League video games this season
From this season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will improve from 128 matches to no less than 215 video games solely dwell.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games this season are on Sky Sports activities.
