Manchester City continued their preparations for the new season by beating Bayern Munich in Tokyo, with Aymeric Laporte pouncing to score a late winner.
With just four minutes remaining of the pre-season clash of the titans, Laporte fired home emphatically from close range after good work from Phil Foden.
City youngster James McAtee had broken the deadlock after 22 minutes, having slotted beyond Yann Sommer after Julian Alvarez’s strike was deflected to him.
Thomas Tuchel’s side hit back late on, however. Firmly against the run of play, Ederson pushed away Leon Goretzka’s effort as far as Mathys Tel, who netted.
But there was still time for Laporte to wrap up a last-gasp victory for the Premier League champions – and here, JACK GAUGHAN reveals what we learned.
Manchester City beat Bayern Munich in Tokyo as they continue their new season preparations
Aymeric Laporte scored the late winner after James McAtee and Mathys Tel had both netted
Lewis rewarded for rapid rise
Rico Lewis announced himself to Manchester City supporters against Bayern Munich this time last year, coming off the bench in a friendly that almost fell foul to the miserable Wisconsin weather.
Then only 17, and possessing barely any experience training with the first team let alone featuring for them, he shone on the right. At one point, he waltzed past two defenders and rattled the post.
Pep Guardiola, who had been advised to take him on that trip by the club, stood up and took notice, with Lewis going onto make 23 appearances in the Treble season and scoring on his Champions League debut.
Twelve months on from that stormy night in America, Lewis was agreeing a new six-year contract with City, underlining the high regard in which he is held at the Etihad Stadium.
Mail Sport understands the teenager will officially sign the new deal, which is five years plus an option for a further season, in the coming weeks. So too will Nathan Ake, who is also being rewarded for his performances last term – as reported by Mail Sport in March.
Both are earning uplifts on their wages, with Lewis’ salary increasing by around five times. Several European clubs had been watching developments closely after talks started earlier in the year.
Versatility is key – and he has already played in two positions on tour. The other night against Yokohama F. Marinos, Lewis came on at left back, while he started in central midfield for this one. And it was his strong run forward that engineered James McAtee’s 21st-minute opener in an eye-catching display.
Rico Lewis has been handed a new deal as a reward for his rapid progression over the past year
Kovacic set to settle
Lewis was alongside Mateo Kovacic, making his first start for City since securing a £25million switch from Chelsea earlier in the transfer window. Guardiola views the Croatian as somebody capable of operating as either a No 6 or an 8 a little further forward.
That is particularly crucial given the complicated role of John Stones, who is continuing flitting between centre half and midfield. Guardiola called over Stones and Lewis during a first-half water break as they looked to correct some small issues.
Kovacic has been one City have fancied for some time and his forward-thinking on the ball should prove an asset. He already has the ability to know when to slow play down – crucial in a Guardiola team – so should settle in with very few problems.
Kovacic did give the ball away once around the Bayern box, which sparked a quick counter-attack, and apologised profusely to his team in front of the manager. That acknowledgment will have gone down well.
City have wanted Mateo Kovacic for some time and will prove an asset under Pep Guardiola
Sane decision-making
It’s hard to get away from the idea that City will look shorn of experience in one main area if there are more outgoings: right wing. Bernardo Silva operated out there against Bayern, as he did for much of last year, and Phil Foden is obviously an option – although his trajectory appears to be in a central role closer to Erling Haaland.
So if Silva did go, and no decision has been made either way on that yet, then Txiki Begiristain might have to become busy. Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is a player they like after his displays in the Premier League last season.
But with a dearth of those forwards available, it did make you wonder about the prospect of Leroy Sane and a return to England.
His family still have an apartment in Manchester and Sane remains a threat, hitting the bar with a free-kick and looking dangerous when floating in off the right. He was always an electrifying left winger at City but the German’s game has changed over time. There is a lot worse out there if they did need to recruit.
City look short on experience at right wing and could do worse than returning for Leroy Sane
Walker bid stuttering
Nothing has yet moved on Bayern’s pursuit of Kyle Walker and, despite talk in the German press that he would sit this one out, the right back started and wore the armband again.
That in itself does not mean a great deal – Sane suffered an ACL injury when starting a Community Shield final just as he was expected to join Bayern – but Walker did seem engaged in his job here, emotively celebrating strong defending.
Something will have to give on that soon, especially given Bayern have a delegation out here attempting to do a deal with City.
Bayern’s pursuit of Kyle Walker has not progressed and he wore City’s armband for the match
