Sergio Aguero’s assured finish and Vincent Kompany’s delightful chip earned Manchester City a 2-0 win over Besiktas on a rainy evening in Innsbruck.
The champions had failed to find the net in 224 minutes in three friendlies during their Austrian training camp.It left Manchester City fans wondering if they do actually need Arsenal striker Robin van Persie at the Etihad. But Aguero who won the title in such dramatic last-gasp fashion 10 weeks ago got them up and running right on half-time against Besiktas. And, after the break, Belgian defender Vincent Kompany added a second goal which Aguero or Van Persie would have been proud of.
Without any of their England players or Euro 2012 finalists Mario Balotelli and David Silva, City had begun the new campaign in low-key fashion. A 1-0 defeat against Saudi side Al-Hilal was followed by an uninspiring goalless draw against German outfit Dynamo Dresden. So City at least wanted to make a mark on Innsbruck at the foot of the Alps as they played the final match of their stay.
But it was the Turks who came close to an early lead as former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes brought a save from Costel Pantilimon. However, right on half-time, Carlos Tevez slipped a through ball into the path of Abdul Razak who was then ruthlessly chopped down. The ball ran through to Argentine striker Aguero, who seized on his chance and curled a shot effortlessly into the far corner of the net.
Soon after the restart, Kompany broke up a Besiktas attack and came surging towards the Turkish half. He carried on his run and was played back in by Adam Johnson before executing a delightful chip over the keeper from the edge of the box.
It was a happy moment for Johnson, who again missed out on England duty this summer and has spent much of this tour battling a virus. Skipper Kompany was rewarded with a rest by boss Roberto Mancini as he rang the changes.
Among those to get a run-out were triallist Mario Jelavic and the manager’s son Filippo Mancini, who is training with the club in the close season. The Turks could have found a way back into the game as Veli Kavlak’s shot hit the post with Pantilimon well beaten. But it was a job well done in the pouring rain for City’s squad who headed straight off the pitch and off to the airport to fly back home.
Coach David Platt said: “The training camp has gone as well as we could have wanted.
“We’ve played three games and looked stronger and sharper each time, which is only to be expected.
“We’ve had no major injuries, though Edin Dzeko has a knock he picked up in training.
“We’ve enjoyed our stay and will rest a few days before heading for the Far East.”
City’s players will now spend a few days at home, then jet out to China where they face Arsenal on Friday.
They also have friendlies against a Malaysian XI and Wolfsburg before the Community Shield against Chelsea in three weeks.
Manchester City: Pantilimon, Zabaleta (Rekik 70), K Toure (Boyata 88), Kompany (Savic 57), Kolarov (Helan 88), A Johnson (Mancini 88), Y Toure (Evans 75), Razak, Lopes (Weiss 46), Aguero (Jelavic 70), Tevez (Scapuzzi 64).
Besiktas: Cenk, Ugur (Dk.80 Tanju), İbrahim Toraman, Ersan, Veli (Dk.86 Hasan), Olcay (Rk.75 Burak), Hilbert (Dk.81 Erkan Kas), Necip (Dk.64 Oguzhan), Fernandes (Dk.78 Muhammed), Mehmet Akyuz (Dk.86 Mertkan), Mustafa (Dk.68 Kadir)
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