Pep Guardiola did not let Finnish defender Tomas Galvez onto the field.
The Norwegian terror of football fields Erling Haaland got a new kind of responsibility in Manchester City, when City started their training match tour in the USA the night before Wednesday, Finnish time.
According to news agency AFP, Haaland served as City’s captain for the first time. The striker, who recently turned 24 years old, performed his old and familiar job in addition to his new task, when he scored a 3-3 equalizer as the Finnish goalkeeper of the Scottish club Celtic Viljami Sinisalon behind the back.
Celtic eventually won 4-3 Luis Palma 68th minute of the game with a full hit, but City’s head coach Pep Guardiola found good things to say about his protégés’ performances.
– I saw many good things from new and old players. We created situations, but the opponent was a fast and high-quality team, the Spanish pilot said on the City’s website.
Guardiola had a wider lineup than usual, no less than 27 players. He made seven substitutions, but kept the Finnish defender by Tomas Galvez on the bench. Otherwise, Guardiola tested new players and gave them screen positions while several European Championship players were still on the sidelines.
The player roulette has its downside, but Guardiola reminded that the real games are yet to come. In practice matches, it’s time to experiment, which can sometimes pay off with a good result.
– During the practice match season, you have to live with the situation. It’s not easy when there are big boys and young people mixed up, but a lot of the stuff I saw was nice.
There was plenty to follow in Celtic’s lineup as well. The 37-year-old Danish hero who moved from Anderlecht Kasper Schmeichel made his debut with Celtic’s goal and blocked, for example, one of Haaland’s attempts to score.
Schmeichel, who surrendered once, was replaced from the goal at halftime. His place was taken by the Finnish goalkeeper Sinisalo, during which Celtic’s 3–1 lead dwindled during the save. Maximo Perrone and Haaland surprised the 22-year-old Finn, who made a save for the first time in his new club, in the second half.
After the setbacks, Palma’s 4–3 goal brought Celtic the win, but Sinisalo also played his part. He rejected City by Ben Knight equalizer in the 76th minute.
City continue their tour of friendly matches at the weekend and face AC Milan. Barcelona and Chelsea will face each other next week. Celtic will challenge Chelsea on Saturday.