Manchester City have today played their third pre-season friendly match against Atletico Madrid – and lost 2-1.
Pep Guardiola’s side fell to defeat against Diego Simeone’s outfit at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Kick-off today was delayed by 40 minutes after some adverse weather conditions.
At one point it looked as though it could actually be called off.
But it went ahead, and City ended up losing.
It was a good first-half performance and the teams went in 0-0. But Guardiola made a string of changes at the break which perhaps upset the rhythm.
One man who started the game but went off was Aymeric Laporte, who many people thought would have left the club by now.
But he’s very much still a City player, and one who is probably quite frustrated right now according to Steph Houghton.
Steph Houghton feels for ‘world-class’ Aymeric Laporte after lack of minutes last season
City’s backline was assessed ahead of today’s game on the Matchday Live programme on City’s official YouTube channel.
Laporte was discussed, and City Women captain Houghton expressed her sympathy for the Spain international. She said: “We speak about Laporte as though he shouldn’t really be starting. But he’s an absolutely world-class centre-half. He’s had so much competition in that area and I hope he does well.
“I think he shows so much quality. Popping up with a few goals here and there at set-pieces.
“He must be so frustrated. But when you look at the quality and you’ve got a manager who’s absolutely world-class it’s hard to argue that point. There’s obviously been a lot of rumours about him potentially going.”
Laporte put in an assured performance today against Atletico.
He completed 36/40 passes (90%) and made a couple of important clearances (via Sofascore).
Laporte has been very unlucky at City
Laporte has undoubtedly been a bit unlucky at City in recent times.
There are very few centre-halves in world football who can pass the ball like him.
He is absolutely amazing at breaking the lines and spraying diagonal passes. He also does chip in with some goals as Houghton says.
But Nathan Ake was so brilliant last term, and Manuel Akanji has also shown he can play on that left side.
If would be a real shame if he went this summer. Earlier this summer there was mention of Tottenham Hotspur being interested and what a signing he would be for them if he went there.
That said, many City fans would likely be fairly happy if Josko Gvardiol came in from RB Leipzig.
