International Champions Cup: Match Update 1

Mario Gotze scores the only goal in the match against Manchester City.

       Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the two German Giants, secured first-match wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City respectively, on the first day of the International Champions Cup. 

       
       Pep Guardiola was looking forward to a good start in the pre-season friendlies, having brought in Riyad Mahrez from Leicester. Dortmund, however, were more experienced and proved quiet a challenge for a young Man City. City pushed high in the start, made some shots on goal but couldn't bag one in. The 28ᵗᑋ minute saw a foul by Zinchenko on Pulisic, which resulted in a penalty, taken by Mario Götze, who put Dortmund up front with a hard strike. After that, Dortmund started pressing and almost made it 2-0 many times. Mahrez took two free kicks, one saved by Hitz and the other shot wide. City lost their first match of the pre-season Cup, and will look to adapt and improve, while Dortmund are off to a great start.

     Bayern Munich, on the other hand, eased past Paris Saint-Germain, who recentyl signed world-class goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for free after his contract end with Juventus.  PSG dominated the first half, and scored with Weah as the clock showed 30', having missed two header chances and a half-open goal, while Buffon defended the post very well. The second half saw more action, as Buffon and the PSG defence denied many chances in the first 15 minutes. But a 60ᵗʰ minute header by Bayern centre-back Martinez leveled the playfield again. Buffon's substitution at 65' may have cost PSG the game, as Renato Sanches netted another goal for Bayern from a 30 yard free kick 2 minutes later. After that, it was Bayern's game, who finished with a 3ʳᵈ goal from Descamps and bagged the win, while PSG headed home with a defeat.