Reijnders shines as Trafford makes first Man Metropolis start in Palermo friendly win

James Trafford made his first start as Manchester Metropolis rounded out their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 win over fellow Metropolis Soccer Community membership Palermo at Renzo Barbera on Saturday evening.

I Rosanero had the better of the early minutes, nonetheless the inevitable Erling Haaland opened the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock after some fine work from Rico Lewis.

Wonderful moments later, Trafford was referred to as into motion to set a header from Joel Pohjanpalo, keeping the Voters forward at the interval.

Both managers made changes at half time, nonetheless Pep Guardiola induced a entire current XI that included the likes of Ederson between the sticks and familiar faces such as Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake in the backline.

Change Tijjani Reijnders, who joined Metropolis from AC Milan this summer, doubled the company’ lead with a strike accurate through the goalkeeper following a perilous dribble from Savinho.

The goalscoring Netherlands midfielder then notched a 2nd, timing his slack hasten to perfection and picking out the underside-left nook with ease to gain the win.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

Guardiola printed in a press conference earlier this week that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has suffered an injury setback that is expected to retain him out till at least the first international crash of the season in September.

With out the Spanish defensive midfielder to guard the Voters, they’ll also combat to defend against the Premier League’s strongest aspects, especially when facing counterattacks.

On Saturday, Palermo can also contain misplaced the game – and the Anglo Palermitan trophy – nonetheless they produced some threatening moments despite having minimal possession, and in the occasion that that they had made more of their substantial probabilities in the first half, the scoreline can also contain been very totally different.

Filippo Inzaghi‘s membership are celebrating their 125th anniversary in 2025-26, and they’re going to be fighting to make promotion to Serie A in the upcoming league marketing campaign.

PALERMO VS. MANCHESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Erling Haaland intention vs. Palermo (Twenty fifth min, Palermo 0-1 Manchester Metropolis)

One touch. BANG! ?

Erling Haaland is inevitable ? pic.twitter.com/Yvpwx5OSic

— CBS Sports actions Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 9, 2025

Lewis picks up the ball in the left-succor narrate, carries it accurate through the backline and performs a one-two with Rayan Cherki before driving forward.

He then squares a pass to Haaland from the unbiased-wing, and the Norwegian talisman fires a accurate finish into the underside-left nook with his unbiased foot from the threshold of the box.

Tijjani Reijnders intention vs. Palermo (59th min, Palermo 0-2 Manchester Metropolis)

Can not give Tijjani Reijnders too basic dwelling or time ? pic.twitter.com/Mqq61huvW4

— CBS Sports actions Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 9, 2025

Savinho dribbles up the unbiased wing, taking on his plump-succor one-on-one, and as soon as he pushes the defender into the 18-yard box, the Brazilian vast-man lays off a pass to Reijnders, who takes a slightly to govern it before firing an impressive strike low into the underside-left nook accurate through the goalkeeper.

Tijjani Reijnders intention vs. Palermo (82nd min, Palermo 0-3 Manchester Metropolis)

Metropolis obtain smartly the ball high on the unbiased flank after it seemed that their transfer had broken down, and Divine Mukasa performs a disguised pass on the threshold of the box that lands at the feet of the oncoming Reijnders, who carries it to the 12-yard intention before slotting into the underside-left nook.

MAN OF THE MATCH – TIJJANI REIJNDERS

The 27-year-mature midfielder has been touted as the aptitude successor to Ilkay Gundogan at Metropolis, and if his goalscoring prowess is anything to head by, then he’s making a solid case for himself.

Reijnders showed his attacking instincts by netting twice in the 2nd half, both from inside the box, and he’s certain to be a potent weapon for Guardiola’s aspect in 2025-26.

PALERMO VS. MANCHESTER CITY MATCH STATS

Possession: Palermo 29%-71% Manchester Metropolis

Shots: Palermo 8-13 Manchester Metropolis

Shots heading in the appropriate direction: Palermo 3-6 Manchester Metropolis

Corners: Palermo 4-3 Manchester Metropolis

Fouls: Palermo 13-10 Manchester Metropolis

WHAT NEXT?

Up next for Palermo is a Coppa Italia showdown against Cremonese on August 16, whereas Man Metropolis are assign aside of abode to kick off their Premier League marketing campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the identical day.

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