Manchester City only draws in the last game before the World Cup

In the last game before the debut in the Club World Cup, the Manchester City conceded a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, this Saturday (16), at the Etihad Stadium, in the 17th round of the English Championship. The stumble left the coach’s team Pep Guardiola in fourth place.

Manchester City travels to Saudi Arabia in fourth place in the English Championship, with 34 points, and could see their main opponents in the fight for the title shoot up the leaderboard. Liverpool (37), Arsenal (36) and Aston Villa (35) only enter the field this Sunday. Crystal Palace were in 15th place, with 17. According to full-back Marcelo, the English are favorites for the title.

Everything led to believe that Manchester City would achieve another easy victory in the English Championship. Pep Guardiola’s team had 75% possession of the ball and managed to open the scoring in the 23rd minute. Foden found Grealish inside the box. The number 10 hit the left corner, with class, to beat Henderson.

Manchester City continued to press and again missed a great opportunity and expanded with Foden. On the other side, Crystal Palace were more discreet, but arrived with danger just before the break. Olise took a free kick looking for Enderson’s angle and threw it over the goal.

In the second half, City came back creating one opportunity after another and even had a goal disallowed, scored by Julián Álvarez, due to Rodri’s offside. However, there was one confirmed at eight, with Rico Lewis filling the net, after a play by Grealish.

With 2-0 on the scoreboard, City settled down and let Crystal Palace grow in the duel. Schlupp was launched at speed, passed by Rúben Dias and crossed to Mateta, who only pushed the ball into the empty goal.

Despite the goal, City had control of the game, until Mateta was brought down by Foden inside the box, a penalty. Olise took the shot, at 49, and declared equality, without giving Guardiola’s men any chance to react.

The draw with Crystal Palace was City’s last before their Club World Cup debut. On Tuesday, at 3pm (Brasília time), the English club will be in Saudi Arabia to face Urawa Reds, at the King Abdullah stadium, in Jeddah, already knowing the result between Fluminense and Al Ahly, which will take place on Monday.