READY TO LAP IT UP!
AYMERIC Laporte is fired up to star for City after watching France’s World Cup win through gritted teeth.
The former Athletic defender moved to the Etihad in January for £57m with the intention of forcing himself into Didier Deschamps’ plans for Russia.
But the coach opted with the group that had got them to the tournament, leaving Laporte feeling green as Les Bleus beat Croatia in the final. “It was jealousy that I felt, to be honest. The decisions were made and you just have to accept them. That’s how it is in football.
“I hadn’t been in the previous squad, but it was still a little disappointing for me not to be involved.” Despite his international heartbreak, Laporte is still delighted to have moved to City in January – having turned down a move at the eleventh hour in 2016.
While he may not have a World Cup to his name, the centreback is targeting success in Europe.
“I had a really good six months here. We won two titles and obviously we won a lot of games. It would have been nice if we’d played in the later rounds of the Champions League but that’s something we can work towards this year.”
RIYAD Mahrez barely shifted out of second gear as he shook off the summer rust and the mental turmoil of his transfer saga.
But he still gave clear notice that he could be a star turn for Pep Guardiola in the coming season.
The record City signing showed his immaculate touch, went close with a couple of arcing free kicks, and looked like he could beat a man with ease.
But most of all, he had that straight-backed arrogance which he had at Leicester – he knew he was outstanding, even on a field that contained quality footballers like Mario Gotze and Christian Pulisic.
He gave notice that he does not intend to be shifted from the team when the real stuff gets underway in two weeks.
Pre-season games are never about the result, even when you are on tour to a lucrative market like the United States, and playing in an iconic stadium like Soldier Field.
The Chicago Bears’ home ground is set against the backdrop of the soaring city skyline, but there was nothing towering about the team Pep Guardiola put out.
The Blues boss was utterly unconcerned about putting out a young, inexperienced, unbalanced mishmash of a team, and pitting them against a much stronger Dortmund team.
The Bundesliga giants are already ahead of City in their schedule, playing Austria Viena last week, and able to field four or five first team regulars.
By contrast, City fielded a defence made up of 18-year-old right-winger Luke Bolton at right back, 17-yearold Eric Garcia partnering unwanted Jason Denayer in the centre and Aleks Zinchenko reprising his occasional left-back role of last season.
And with 2014 World Cup-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze and Yankee wonderkid, Christian Pulisic, running at them, it was always going to be a tough night.
The midfield triangle was also lacking experience, although Douglas Luiz was neat and tidy in the holding role.
But Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz could not get into it, and Guardiola responded by switching Riyad Mahrez inside for the Spaniard.
Mahrez had looked a cut above the rest of the City team, which you would expect from a £60m record signing.
He very nearly levelled the scores just before half-time with a wicked free kick which keeper Marwin Hitz saved brilliantly.
The Blues had fallen behind when Pulisic, tormenting the hell out of Zinchenko, forced the Ukraine international into a clumsy trip.
Gotze hammered home the spot kick and Dortmund had a lead they deserved for their more incisive football.
Joe Hart replaced Bravo at halftime and reminded everyone that he is a fine shot-stopper by denying Mahmoud Dahoud.
And the inevitable flood of subs saw the game finish as it had started – as an exercise in pointlessness.