Man City vs Girona

City continued our preparation for the return of domestic football with a fine 2-0 friendly win over Girona at the Academy Stadium.

[Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) (c) (Robertson 78'), [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) (McDonald 80'), [Palmer](https://www.mancity.com/players/cole-palmer), [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), Rogers (Borges 51'), Haaland (Bobb 59') [Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola) said. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GUARDIOLA INTERVIEW](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/pep-guardiola-girona-reaction-63806875) [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) an ideal return from the World Cup. [Shea Charles](https://www.mancity.com/players/shea-charles)’ pass to [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne). [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) weaved into the box, slid the ball back to Cole [Palmer](https://www.mancity.com/players/cole-palmer) whose miscued effort fell to [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), whose powerful shot flew just wide of the near post. [Garcia](https://www.mancity.com/players/eric-garcia) (Vallejo 73'), Romeu, Couto (Roca 73'), Bueno, Nunez [Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) and De Buryne, the friendly re-acclimatised them to the cold British weather, after competing at the World Cup in Qatar. [Pep Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola)'s side remained unchanged after the interval but it was the visitors who continued to press. [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), before the winger then returned the favour by sliding the midfielder into the box who teed up Haaland to tap home. [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) gave supporters a great homecoming gift by netting five minutes into his return from the World Cup, before the classy midfielder set-up [Erling Haaland](https://www.mancity.com/players/erling-haaland)’s strike. [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) gave City the perfect start in the fifth minute when he intercepted a sloppy pass out of defence from Paulo Gazzaniga to coolly slot past the Fulham loanee from 12-yards.

Manchester City are back in match action for the first time in more than a month as they take on Spanish side Girona in a friendly at the Academy Stadium.

every time a City player takes a touch inside the Girona half. A nervy moment for the goalkeeper. Both centre-backs, Shea Charles and Jadel Katongo, have also looked assured on the ball. You can see the City DNA already ingrained on some of these youngsters. The Blues are back. He plays Haaland through on goal but the striker is flagged offside. City get away with one as they're caught on the break. Both sides are still having a go but the match is definitely winding down now. Oh to be young and full of optimism. The winger's effort is blocked, but that move was all about Kev. It's all over and City have won 2-0. [City](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) 's World Cup contingent, only Julian Alvarez remains in Qatar with him expected to start against France in the final on Sunday.

Manchester City eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in their winter friendly on Saturday thanks to goals from two of their biggest stars.

It's a good game to fill in the break. 'It's going to be a really good game against Liverpool. [Manchester City](/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html) eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in their winter friendly on Saturday thanks to goals from two of their biggest stars.

De Bruyne opened the scoring at the Academy Stadium inside five minutes when he intercepted a disastrous short pass from Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga on ...

[Liverpool](/football/team?id=364) in the Carabao Cup round of 16 in their first game back on Thursday before making their Premier League return in an away trip to [Leeds United](/football/team?id=357) on Dec. [Kevin De Bruyne](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/134947/Kevin-De-Bruyne) and [Erling Haaland](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/253989/Erling-Haaland) scored early goals as [Manchester City](/football/team?id=382) eased to a 2-0 victory over [Girona](/football/team?id=9812) while they prepare for the return of the English football season following the World Cup break. [Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)](/espnplus/fixtures/_/type/upcoming/categoryId/119cfa41-71d4-39bf-a790-6273a52b0259/channel/ESPN_PLUS)