Gundogan makes second City debut

Manchester City made their return to the Etihad Stadium over the weekend against Ipswich Town following a successful result in the capital against Chelsea last week.

Following an unbeaten season across all competition at home in the previous campaign, the pressure was and still is high for the Blues to perform in front of the home fans.

City started the game positively, dominating the possession and chances as you’d expect. A quick break against the run of play, however, saw the newly promoted Ipswich go 1-0 up thanks to Sammie Szmodics in the 7th minute. The tractor boys joy would be short lived, however, as just 5 minutes later, Savinho was fouled in the box leading to a lengthy VAR check and eventually a penalty.

Those of you who read this column and play Fantasy Football might have, like me, been praying that the big man, Erling Haaland, would be the one to step up for the spot kick. To my relief, my FPL captain took the kick and scored to level up the game. Just two minutes after this, Savinho put the Ipswich keeper, a player us City fans know very well, Aro Muric, under pressure and eventually stackled to set up Kevin De Bruyne for his first goal of the season. 

Just two minutes after that too, Haaland doubled his tally for the afternoon, seeing the Blues score three in just nine minutes tio completely snatch the game from Ipswich, who failed to recover from the early set back. City spent the rest of the game in management mode, dominating possession and creating a few chances here and there, but mostly keeping fitness and avoiding injury, as we’ve seen them do so consistently in seasons gone by.

Our number nine, Haaland, did complete his hat trick late on in the game, meaning a 10th match ball in City colours, quite an incredible stat for the amount of time he’s been at the club. 

Last week in this column, I mentioned that a return of midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona was being rumoured. We of course since then know that he has now completed his return to the Etihad, leaving behind his old number eight shirt, now used by Mateo Kovacic, and swapping it for the number 19. I was unsure whether Ilkay would make an appearance on the weekend, given it was only 24 hours prior that it had been officially announced.

I was proved wrong though, as the loudest cheer of the afternoon came in the 71st minute when the now retired German international made his second City debut, and it felt like he’d never left!

I suspect Gundogan will have a part to play in next weeks fixture against West Ham, City’s second away game of the season. Before that though, we will learn the Blues’ opponents for both the Carabao Cup third round with the draw being on Wednesday evening and the Champions League in it’s new format on Thursday morning. 

More to discuss on next week’s edition of City Watch, and hopefully a return of Phil Foden and Rodri over the weekend!