City defeated in 2026 Community Shield

Quickfire goals at the start of each half from Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard sandwiched by a Kai Havertz header meant defeat for Enzo Maresca’s men here at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in the seasonal curtain-raiser.

Focus will now turn to the start of the Premier League campaign which begins for City next Sunday with AFC Bournemouth the visitors to the Etihad for a 14:00 (UK) kick-off. 

THE GAME IN 250 WORDS

It couldn’t have been a worse start for City with Riccardo Calafiori slipped through by Myles Lewis-Skelly inside the first minute with the Italian firing past his countryman Gianluigi Donnarumma from close-range.

The Blues didn’t let that 23rd second setback derail them though and Enzo Maresca’s side gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges, with both teams attacking at will.

Erling Haaland couldn’t quite meet Elliot Anderson’s whipped cross from the right while Phil Foden saw a curling long ranger well smothered by David Raya in the opposition goal.

But the Gunners got a second as the half hour mark approached with Kai Havertz heading home from six yards out.

Martin Odegaard swung in a cross from the right and Christos Tzolis nodded it into the path of the German who made no mistake.

Haaland had a good chance to reduce the deficit minutes later when played in by Jérémy Doku but the talismanic Norwegian ace fired high and handsome when well placed.

With half-time fast approaching, two more good chances arrived for Maresca’s men as they looked to get back into the game but Haaland had his close-range drilled shot saved by Raya while Doku – charging into the box at top speed – saw his effort deflected wide via Ben White.

Just shy of the break, White teed up goalscorer Calafiori who blasted an effort over Donnarumma’s bar while Joško Gvardiol cleared off his line as Mikel Arteta’s looked to extend their lead before the interval. 

Much like the first half, it was a quickfire goal for Arsenal at the start of the second with captain Martin Odegaard calmy slotting past Donnarumma and knocking the stuffing out of the Blues.

The game was punctuated by a flurry of changes for both teams as the half continued with Maresca clearly managing the minutes of those who’ve only just returned from their rest and recovery spell of downtime after the World Cup.

Donnarumma was called into action when he raced out to claw away the ball, with Bukayo Saka looking to nick it, round the keeper and add extra gloss to the Gunners lead while at the other end, Kovačić fired goalwards from 25 yards out only to see Raya get down to push the ball out and away from danger.

It was that man, Raya, who denied City again late on when substitute Rayan Cherki made a weaving run before sliding in Antoine Semenyo, the Ghana international watching on as the Spaniard got down to deny him.

That was all she wrote as the game clicked down to full-time.

TEAMS 

ARSENAL XI: Raya, White, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori (Hincapie 60), Lewis-Skelly (Zubimendi 75’), Guimaraes (Rice 46’), Odegaard (C) (Eze 84’), Madueke (Saka 60), Tzolis, Havertz (Gyokeres 75’)

Subs: Kepa, Merino, Dowman

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias (C), Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Guéhi 54’), Kovačić (Nico 79’), Anderson (Lewis 60), Semenyo, Foden (Cherki 60), Doku (Grealish 46’), Haaland (Marmoush 53’)

Subs: Rulli, Aït-Nouri, Reis

MANAGER VERDICT

I think a big part of the game was in the first goal we conceded.

Unfortunately after 30 seconds we conceded the first one.

I think the reaction was good, before they scored the second goal we had three or four chances to score and to draw the game.

Unfortunately we missed the chances and then after the second goal it became more difficult.

It’s just the beginning, we have many things that we need to do better, I think the reaction was good after conceding the first goal and now try to reset and analyse the game and think from Tuesday about the next game.

DIAS REACTION

Obviously it was not good enough and frustrating.

Thank you to the fans that came a long distance, thank you for coming so far.

It’s the beginning of the season and it’s not good enough, many things are changing obviously with a new manager as well.

The way the game starts, it sets you off right away and Arsenal get comfortable into playing their game.

In the end, this is just starting. The most important is that we’re already looking forward. We’ll be ready for the next game.

KOVACIC REACTION

Obviously, today was not our day.

I think the decisive moments were on their side.

In the boxes they were better but overall I think we didn’t play as bad as it sounds. 

But that football. At this level the small margins decide the game.

WHAT IT MEANS

All eyes now turn to the start of the Premier League season which is tantalisingly close.

City face AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad next Sunday with a 14:00 (UK) kick-off.

It’s a battle of new bosses with Enzo Maresca having replaced Pep Guardiola and Marco Rose, formerly of RB Leipzig, coming in at the Cherries for Andoni Iraola who is now in charge of Liverpool.

WHAT NEXT

City face AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad next Sunday.

The 14:00 (UK) kick-off marks the start of our 2026/27 Premier League season.

Premier League 2026/27 home tickets now on sale

General admission tickets for Manchester City’s home 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are on sale to Premium, Matchday and Junior Members.

Season Ticket Members, meanwhile, are now also able to purchase additional tickets for selected games.

Premier League match-by-match ticket prices for junior and adult Matchday Members have been retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.  

It promises to be another thrilling campaign for the Blues as we enter a new era under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, who takes over from Pep Guardiola in the hotseat.

Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium for our Premier League fixtures now!

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