Reds slip to defeat against Man City

FC Bayern fell 3-2 to Manchester City in Miami on Saturday evening. Meritan Shabani and Arjen Robben put the Bavarians in front, Bernardo Silva pulling one back with the half-time whistle imminent. Lukas Nmecha and Bernardo Silva with his second turned the tide in the second half.

The German record champions started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Rafinha, David Alaba, Chris Richards and Jonathan Meier in a back four. Paul Will anchored a midfield featuring Arjen Robben, Meritan Shabani, Franck Ribéry and Kingsley Coman, with Sandro Wagner as an orthodox centre-forward.

Shabani and Robben find the net

The 29,195 crowd at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium saw an entertaining, up-tempo contest with chances at either end. Manchester City went straight onto the front foot, Lukas Nmecha testing Ulreich before hitting the post a few minutes later. Bayern took the lead when Rafinha charged down the right, his cross inviting Shabani to head past netminder Claudio Bravo. Bayern were buoyed by the opener, Coman seeing an effort saved.

The Bavarians doubled the lead when Ribéry's brilliantly perceptive through-ball found Robben, who shone with a strong first touch and a delicate chip into the back of the net. City's Phil Foden miscued from 12 yards before Bravo made a strong save to deny Robben, Brahim Díaz firing wide at the other end. Bernardo Silva halved the deficit from the edge of the box shortly before half-time.

City turn the tide

The side managed by ex-Bayern boss Pep Guardiola levelled the scores shortly after the interval, when Ulreich could only parry a Foden shot, Nmecha netting the rebound. The German record champions went looking for a reply, Wagner seeing an effort blocked. The day turned sour when Bernardo Silva slotted past Ulreich with 20 minutes to go.

Bayern upped the pace in the closing stages and created numerous chances, but Robben saw an effort blocked and Shabani miscued from ten yards before match official Ted Unkel blew for full-time. The Reds will head back to Munich on Sunday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen