Manchester City closed their preseason tour of Asia with a 3-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid in Seoul, and the performance offered a glimpse of how dangerous the team could become once Erling Haaland returns. Omar Marmoush scored twice in three second half minutes to turn the match around, and both goals came from Antoine Semenyo racing down the left flank and cutting the ball back into space.
A Wasteful First Half Opens the Door for Haaland
Before Marmoush struck, City had actually fallen behind. Atletico took the lead late in the first half when Jorge Dominguez pounced on a loose ball following a corner. That setback came despite City creating several strong openings beforehand, as Savinho tested the goalkeeper from the right and teammates spurned other presentable chances inside the box. Consequently, the pattern of good service going unused stood out, and it hinted at what Haaland might do once he settles into Enzo Maresca’s setup. Haaland has built his career on exactly these situations, whether that means arriving at the back post or reading a cutback early enough to finish first time. If Semenyo and Savinho continue supplying that kind of service, Haaland should have no shortage of chances to add to an already prolific scoring record.
Maresca Confirms Haaland Will Add to City’s Firepower
Speaking afterward, Maresca acknowledged that his side had produced enough chances in the first half to have settled the game sooner. He explained that City must become more clinical in front of goal, though he added that the team is improving steadily and that Haaland’s return would make the attack even more threatening. Semenyo, meanwhile, finished the three match tour with four assists, underlining how effective City’s wide play has become under the new manager. Haaland is expected to rejoin full training this week ahead of the Community Shield against Arsenal, and given how City moved the ball in Seoul, he looks well placed to hit the ground running once the Premier League season begins.
