In a scintillating pre-season friendly at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Memorial Stadium, Celtic emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over Manchester City. This match served as an exciting preview of the 2024/25 campaigns for both clubs, with Celtic, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, and Manchester City, the four-time defending English Premier League champions, showcasing their talents.
Match Highlights
The match was a roller-coaster of emotions, with goals aplenty and standout performances from both sides.
Nicolas Kuhn’s Brilliance
German right-winger Nicolas Kuhn was the star of the first half, netting a brace for Celtic. He opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a left-footed shot past City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Kuhn’s second goal came in the 36th minute, a beautiful curling left-footed blast that found the top corner.
Kasper Schmeichel’s Debut
Making his debut for Celtic, 37-year-old Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel showed he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Schmeichel denied Erling Haaland twice in the first half, first with a right-hand save and then with a left-hand swat.
Haaland and City’s Response
Erling Haaland, wearing the captain’s armband for City, was a constant threat. He set up Oscar Bobb for City’s first equalizer in the 33rd minute and later nodded home a centering pass from Bobb in the 57th minute to level the scores at 3-3.
Luis Palma’s Decider
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when Luis Palma, the Honduran international, tapped in the winning goal on a breakaway. Palma, who had just entered the match three minutes earlier, capitalized on a defensive lapse from City to secure the win for Celtic.
City’s Young Talent
With several top stars resting from the European Championships, City manager Pep Guardiola used this match to analyze younger talent. 21-year-old Argentine substitute Maximo Perrone made an immediate impact, scoring seconds into the second half with a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will continue their US tours with high-profile matches. Manchester City will face AC Milan at New York’s Yankee Stadium on Saturday, followed by matches against Barcelona in Orlando and Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio. Celtic, on the other hand, will take on Chelsea in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday.
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The pre-season friendly between Celtic and Manchester City was a thrilling showcase of football talent and strategic gameplay. With standout performances from Nicolas Kuhn and Kasper Schmeichel for Celtic and the promising displays from City’s young stars, fans have much to look forward to in the upcoming season. As the teams continue their preparations, we can only anticipate more exciting matches and unforgettable moments on the pitch.