Girona 1 Manchester City 0: Portu’s first half strike condemns Pep Guardiola’s side to a shock defeat in Spain
The Citizens faced the La Liga side in a friendly clash in Catalonia, but were defeated against the newly-promoted club
MANCHESTER CITY suffered a shock defeat against La Liga side Girona as they lost 1-0 at the Municipal de Montilivi for the Costa Brava Trophy.
Midfielder Portu scored the only goal of the game in Catalonia in a friendly clash that saw Ilkay Gundogan play his first match since December.
City got off to a bright start - Raheem Sterling almost scoring a superb strike from distance in the ninth minute, but his dipping attempt was tipped over by Gorka Iraizoz.
Leroy Sane then almost had the net bulging, but his free-kick whistled inches wide of the left-hand post with Iraizoz left stranded.
They were made to rue their missed opportunities as the newly-promoted side took the lead in the 14th minute when Portu fired Pablo Machin's side in front.
Aday Benitez whipped in a glorious ball from the left flank, which fell to the feet of the 25-year-old after Sane stumbled in the box - he took one touch, before firing past Claudio Bravo.
The Citizens goalkeeper then expertly denied the Spanish club from going into the break two-up as he got down low in the 42nd minute.
He thwarted former Middlesbrough ace Cristhian Stuani's curling shot from inside the edge of the area from creeping into the bottom right corner.
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Immediately into the second period and Girona were again threatening, and Stuani would have doubled their lead if not for the brilliant sliding challenge from Eliaquim Mangala in the 47th minute.
There was a huge boost for Pep Guardiola in the 71st minute when Ilkay Gundogan replaced Phil Foden in midfield - the German midfielder's first appearance since injury cut short his season last December.
Sane then almost netted a wonder goal as he glided past five Girona players before his attempt was blocked at the last second.
Nicolas Otamendi was the next City player to be denied, as his header sailed high and wide over the bar from a Bernardo Silva corner, before the ex-Monaco star had an effort stopped by Iraizoz.
Gabriel Jesus then clipped the bar with a long-drive, but Girona held out as Portu's first half strike condemned them to a shock loss.
Guardiola will be hoping the defeat doesn't affect their momentum when they come up against Everton next Monday night, after they beat Brighton 2-0 on Saturday's late kick-off.
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