Manchester City stepped up their pre-season preparations tonight, with a prestigious friendly against Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup final.
Bayern dominated possession in the first period, but fell behind on 63 minutes courtesy of a composed finish from Alvaro Negredo.
Pep Guardiola's side got a chance to respond from the penalty spot just five minutes later, with an assured spot kick from Thomas Muller quickly levelling the match.
A swift turnaround was completed soon after thanks to Mario Mandzukic, who bundled home a winner for the hosts with a brave header from close range.
Look back at an intriguing test for Manuel Pellegrini's side with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good evening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live coverage of a pre-season friendly packed with star quality, as Bayern Munich face Manchester City in the Audi Cup final.
City came through a quite bizarre match with AC Milan in Munich yesterday to earn a showpiece clash with Bayern. Manuel Pellegrini's side played some scintillating football to score five goals inside 38 minutes, but then managed to concede three at the other end before half time. Defensively things will need to better tonight, against the Champions League holders.
Bayern eased their way past Sao Paulo last night, with a strong side proving too much for the Brazilian outfit. Pep Guardiola's new-look team get their Bundesliga campaign underway next weekend, so there is plenty of incentive for Bayern's star-studded squad to perform this evening.
TEAM NEWS! We have just received both starting lineups for tonight's showdown at the Allianz Arena, with City unsurprisingly ringing the changes after facing Milan just over 24 hours ago. New signings Stevan Jovetic and Fernandinho both keep their places though, giving City fans another chance to watch each player less than three weeks before the Premier League begins. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
City: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Boyata, Clichy, Fernandinho, Nasri, Milner, Barry, Jovetic, Negredo
Bayern: Neuer, Dante, Thiago, Ribéry, Martínez, Robben, Lahm, Müller, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Kroos
It looks like Pellegrini will keep faith with his twists on a 4-4-2 formation tonight, partnering new strikers Alvaro Negredo and Jovetic in attack. With Edin Dzeko in scoring four in his last three friendlies both players will get their chance tonight in Munich, against the toughest of opposition.
Fernandinho also starts despite playing the majority of yesterday's match with Milan, alongside Gareth Barry in central midfield. Samir Nasri and James Milner have replaced Jesus Navas and David Silva out wide, with captain Vincent Kompany restored in central defence.
A forgotten man at the Etihad also gets a rare chance to impress in the first team tonight, young defender Dedryck Boyata. With Matija Nastasic sidelined by injury the 22-year-old will start alongside Kompany at centre-back tonight, with experience duo Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy completing the back four. Costel Pantilimon comes in for Joe Hart in between the sticks, completing a fairly strong starting XI from the Premier League giants.
Bayern have arguably named their strongest possible starting XI for tonight's clash, with Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery forming a fluid three-man attack. Javi Martinez is likely to partner Dante in central defence, with Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger starting in central midfield alongside Thiago Alcantara.
Guardiola has experimented with a 4-1-4-1 during pre-season, with captain Philipp Lahm pushed into a new midfield role. Tonight's side looks like a 4-3-3 formation with players free to roam and change position, so it will interesting to see what system Bayern adopt in this showpiece pre-season clash.
PREDICTION! With the two sides due out any moment at a packed Allianz Arena there is time for me to hazard a guess at tonight's scoreline. Bayern have got nine of their starting XI from the Champions League final playing from the outset this evening, so it is extremely difficult to look past Guardiola's side. I'll go for a 3-1 Bayern victory, with Ribery to continue his fine pre-season form by getting on the scoresheet.
A vibrant pre-match ceremony full of colour has just come to a close, with Lahm and Kompany about to lead out the two teams. This is probably as good as it gets in terms of pre-season friendly fare, with an expectant Allianz Arena greeting the players with a raucous reception.
Here we go then, pre-match formalities are finished, with Bayern about to get us underway shooting from right to left. This promises to be quite a spectacle, and a test of City's credentials under Pellegrini.
SAVE! City are first to threaten down the right wing through Negredo, who skews a cross over the top of Neuer's goal. At the other end Bayern are quick to break as Ribery is found by a precise pass from Robben inside the penalty area. The Frenchman takes a touch before shooting low and hard, but Pantilimon is equal to the effort and palms wide with a strong stop.
Nasri does well to rob possession from Lahm and find Milner with a clever crossfield pass, but his early shot from range is blocked by an outstretched foot from Dante. Once again Bayern are quickly breaking clear on the counter, with Ribery's drive across goal catching Zabaleta out of position. His volley across goal drifts wide of the far corner, and has too much power for Robben following up at the far post.
Alaba beats Milner to the ball on successive occasions out wide, helping Bayern regain possession inside their own half. The City midfielder then shows some frustration to bring Robben down with a late lunge, putting pressure back on his defence as Bayern are awarded a free kick.
Pantimilon is called into action again in the early going, tipping a fierce drive from Kroos round the post. City are just struggling to leave their own half as Fernandinho gifts Ribery possession inside the penalty area, but luckily for the visitors Boyata is able to clear with an important covering challenge.
Bayern are keeping possession with consummate ease in the early stages, but continue to look for late forward runs with diagonal passes to show some variety in attack. City are yet to establish any rhythm on the ball, penned back inside their own half as the hosts probe through Robben and Ribery.
Robben drives inside with a trademark and looks to shoot on his trusty left foot, but leans back on a strike that flies well over the crossbar. Worryingly for City Negredo has gone down under a challenge from Dante, with a break in play following soon after so the Spaniard can receive treatment.
Zabaelta offer a brief rest for his City teammates with a strong run down the right wing, but a well-timed tackle from Alaba quickly brings that forward burst to an end. Thankfully Negredo is fine to continue, but looks very isolated as Bayern continue to dominate possession with little pressure from the visitors.
Pantilimon keeps the pressure on City with a sliced clearance into touch, allowing Bayern to build another prolonged spell of possession. Robben decides to roam towards the penalty area with pace and purpose, but his burst is brought to an abrupt end by a strong challenge from Fernandinho.
Bayern add width to their play as Lahm bombs beyond Robben down the line, with his cross into the penalty area knocked behind for a corner kick by Kompany. City are sticking to their guns with a defence happy to drop deep, which in fairness has restricted Bayern largely to strike from range so far this evening.
Kroos picks out Robben with a clever switch of play, with Schweinsteiger eventually knocking the ball towards Muller inside the penalty area. His powerful header is on target, but the offside flag is quickly raised on the far side.
SAVE! City are really hanging on now as Pantimilon pushes Robben's drive from distance away from goal, with Kompany able to prevent danger with a powerful clearance on the rebound. Pellegrini continues to look calm on the touchline, with his players working hard to maintain this stalemate until the interval.
WIDE! Jovetic has just gone close to giving City a shock lead on the counter. A swift break started when Milner played Zabaleta in behind with a curling pass on the right wing. He quickly switched the play to Nasri, who combined with Jovetic just outside the penalty area. The forward took a touch before flashing a drive towards goal, with his effort going just beyond the top corner. Much more like it from the visitors there in a positive break.
For all Bayern's talent Ribery remains their most potent creative outlet in the final third. His powerful drive across just manages to evade Robben's dive at the far post, before a shimmy inside forces Kompany to clear behind for a corner kick.
A second City counter sees Jovetic show quick feet just outside the penalty area, in a move featuring Fernandinho and Negredo. Bayern have enough cover to snuff out the Spaniard's cross into the penalty area as the move breaks down, but just a sign there that City's new forward is definitely a player blessed with skill.
YELLOW CARD! Boyata has been very harshly cautioned after winning the ball brilliantly from Ribery just wide of the penalty area. The German official clearly didn't agree though, awarding Bayern a dangerous free kick and booking the young Belgian for what appeared to be a clean tackle.
For the first time tonight Clichy burst forward into space on the left wing, rolling an inviting cross towards Negredo. The Spaniard has time to weigh up a strike just inside the penalty area, but can only send a tame effort wide of Neuer's far post. A rare sight of goal wasted there by City, who appear to be growing in confidence just before the break.
CHANCE! Negredo has just spurned another glorious opportunity from point-blank range. The Spaniard was found by a clever curling cross from Nasri, but saw a header towards goal deflect off his shoulder and trickle through to a grateful Neuer. Encouraging signs at last for Pellegrini as we head towards the break.
HALF TIME Bayern 0-0 City
Well despite Bayern dominating possession in the opening period City remain level, and could have stolen the lead before the break if Negredo was firing on all cylinders. Much to ponder for both Pellegrini and Guardiola during the interval.
Guardiola has given his false-nine formation another look tonight, with Robben, Ribery and Muller all allowed to switch positions across attack with freedom. Despite controlling possession Bayern have failed to test Pantimilon consistently during the first half.
For much of the first 45 minutes Bayern have controlled possession without really penetrating. Negredo has looked largely isolated in attack, but the Spaniard still had without doubt the best chance of the first period, getting his contact wrong with a header from point-blank range.
I'd expect a raft of changes after the break from both sides, but particularly Bayern with their Bundesliga campaign just eight days from getting underway. City fans should get another chance to see Jesus Navas, while Mario Mandzukic looked in fine form last night against Sao Paulo for the hosts.
City definitely need to prioritise keeping possession for longer spells when play resumes. Tired legs will definitely become a factor given that each side played a match 24 hours ago, so any time Pellegrini's men get on the ball should be a blessing.
SUBSTITUTIONS: City have made a pair of very positive changes at the break, with Navas and Yaya Toure introduced. Jovetic is one of the players to make way, with more news on half-time changes to come as soon as I get it.
Barry was the other City player to make way, but Bayern have quickly established a pattern of very familiar possession in the opposition half. City then launch a swift counter as Clichy finds Nasri with a superb ball between the two central defenders, but Neuer is quick off his line to close down the danger and make a save with his feet.
More positive signs for City as Zabaleta looks for Nasri inside the final third, but despite setting up the Frenchman for a clinical finish the offside flag was quickly raised on the far side. Kroos then quickly crosses for Robben when play resumes at the other end, with his header towards goal smashed clear by Fernandinho. Action at both ends as the match starts to open up.
CHANCE! Another gilt-edged chance for Negredo, who is once again denied by an instinctive save from Neuer. The striker got good contact behind a header from close range, but his effort stayed central and allowed the Bayern keeper to parry clear with a stop he knew very little about. Just not the Spaniard's night in front of goal.
SUBSTITUTION: Guardiola has decided the time is right to make a pair of changes, with Mandzukic and Shaqiri replacing Robben and Thiago. Both players looked in fine form last night against Sao Paulo, and should present the City backline with a more direct threat in the last 30 minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: Kroos just had his toe stubbed by Fernandinho, with his boot splitting open and forcing a break in play. The midfielder limps to the touchline and is quickly replaced as a precaution, with Rafinha introduced. That change should see Lahm moved into midfield, as Guardiola continues to experiment with his captain in a more advanced position.
GOAL! Bayern 0-1 City (Negredo)
City have the lead and finally Negredo has taken a chance after a quick counter from the visitors. The Spaniard showed surprising pace to beat international teammate Martinez in the final third, brushing the defender aside to bear down on goal. With time to pick his spot the forward beat Neuer with a composed finish, finding the bottom corner with authority. Slightly against the run of play City lead, what a fillip this could be for Pellegrini's side before the season begins!
PENALTY! Quite incredibly Bayern have been awarded a spot kick, after Zabaleta appeared to brush the ball with his arm quite by accident under pressure from Mandzukic. Unfortunate for City but a chance for Bayern to level almost instantly.
GOAL! Bayern 1-1 City (Muller)
Bayern are level as Muller confidently tucks away his penalty kick, sending Pantimilon the wrong way with a low finish struck with power into the bottom corner. After all their hard work to keep a clean sheet City will feel hard done by with that decision, particularly Zabaleta.
SUBSTITUTION: Bayern have made a change in central defence, bringing on Daniel van Buyten to play against his former club in place of Dante. When play resumes Ribery exchanges passes with Mandzukic inside the penalty area, but Kompany is able to clear with a covering challenge. Time for City to dig deep here, with the visitors consistently creating chances on the counter attack.
GOAL! Bayern 2-1 City (Mandzukic)
Bayern are ahead thanks to an almost immediate from substitute Jerome Boateng. The former City defender broke forward just moments after coming on, rising high to meet a cross from Ribery at the far post. His effort was diverted towards goal by a late touch from Mandzukic, who evaded his marker to apply the finish from close range. City's resistance has finally been broken, with Dzeko quickly replacing Negredo in an effort to respond.
Mandzukic has sent another message to Guardiola there, scoring with his first meaningful involvement of the match. Despite the new manager's insistence on trying a formation without a conventional striker the Croatian continues to score when called upon, pressing his claim for a starting spot in the process.
OFF THE POST! Mandzukic has just gone within inches of doubling his tally. The forward reacted quickest to speculative flick from Muller towards the penalty area, controlling before firing a volley towards goal. His effort had Pantimilon beaten all ends up, but came crashing back off the foot of the post and away to safety.
City are attempting to force a response, but Milner's cross towards the far post drifts wide. Navas is then unable to break free on the right wing, with Bayern taking their time to clear as Neuer eats away at the clock.
SAVE! Bayern get a free kick in the final for Kompany's cynical pull on Lahm's shirt, with a quickly taken effort winning the hosts a corner kick. At the other end City are very quick to break and find Dzeko inside the penalty area, but from six yards the forward can't find a way past Neuer. The goalkeeper was at full stretch to keep out a scuffed strike, but in his current form the substitute really to smash in a late equaliser.
Just into two minutes of stoppage time Bayern make a late chance, with youngster Wieser replacing Lahm, who goes holding his head.
FULL TIME Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester City
A thoroughly entertaining Audi Cup final sees Bayern survive a scare to clinch a pre-season tournament on home soil. City took the lead with an incisive break finished off by Negredo, but Guardiola's side quickly responded with goals from Muller and Mandzukic.
Bayern controlled possession and were probably just about worthy winners, but City boss Pellegrini can take plenty of positives form a tough test against last season's treble winners. The visitors created plenty of chances, and on another Negredo could have easily had a hat-trick.
As Lahm gets ready to lift the Audi Cup, that is Sports Mole's coverage from Munich just about to an end. Thanks for your time this evening, and be sure to keep in touch for comprehensive coverage of all the pre-season action and transfer news from across the continent. Goodnight!
