AUDI CUP 2013:: BAYERN MUNICH YAATWAA UBINGWA KWA KUIGARAGAZA MANCHESTER CITY 2-1

Edinson Cavani may have been the striker at the top of Manchester City’s wanted list, but they may not be too sorry at missing out on him after more evidence of Alvaro Negredo’s instinct for goal here at the Allianz Arena.
While Cavani took the riches on offer at Paris St Germain, Negredo provided further evidence here that City will be none the poorer for ending up with the Spain striker as their attacking spearhead.

Turnaround: Mario Mandzukic (second left) heads past Costel Pantilimon to put Bayern 2-1 ahead

Battle: Bayern's Toni Kroos holds off a challenge from new City signing Alvaro Negredo

BAYERN MUNICH 2 MAN CITY 1

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm (Weiser 90), Dante, Martínez, Alaba, Thiago (Mandzukic 57), Schweinsteiger, Kroos (Rafinha 59), Robben (Shaqiri 57), Ribéry, Müller,
Goals: Muller (pen) 65, Mandzukic 72.
Manchester City: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Boyata, Clichy, Fernandinho, Nasri, Milner, Barry (Toure 46), Jovetic (Navas 46), Negredo (Dzeko 75).
Goals: Negredo 61.

Sent clear in the 61st minute, Negredo embarrassed Javi Martinez with his pace, shrugging off the Spain defender with ease, before drilling a low shot in off the post.
The celebrations may have been shortlived, as Thomas Muller slotted home a penalty after a needless handball by Pablo Zabaleta and Mario Mandzukic headed Bayern in front, but the signs were clear that City will be an attacking force to be reckoned with this season.
Much as Manuel Pellegrini might have welcomed adding the Audi Cup to the Asia Cup his side won earlier, he would be first to acknowledge that the prime objective of tournaments like this is to ensure everything is in place for the start of the season.
There could be no complaints at the outcome, after Bayern dominated much of an absorbing 90 minutes, but Pellegrini still saw enough to be quietly content at the way his expensively-assembled side are shaping up.

On the run: Dedryck Boyata chases down Bayern Munich's French winger Franck Ribery

Content: Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola saw his team dominate the opening exchanges

Thwarted: Manuel Neuer was quick off his line to deny Samir Nasri

They might even have forced a penalty shoot-out, after Edin Dzeko forced his way through in the 88th minute and scuffed a shot that Manuel Neuer just managed to fingertip round the post.
Trying to match the European champions on their own pitch was always likely to be a sterner challenge than anything City have faced so far this summer, and so it proved as they were given a first-half runaround.
It took Bayern just 80 seconds to underline there would be no repeat of the previous evening’s stroll against AC Milan, as Arjen Robben threaded a pass through the tightest of gaps for Franck Ribery to control and test Costel Pantilimon with a low shot to the keeper’s left.

Ahead: Alvaro Negredo celebrates giving Manchester City the lead after the hour mark

Equaliser: Thomas Muller slots home his penalty to bring Bayern Munich level

Ball retention is bound to be paramount for any Pep Guardiola side, but Bayern showed they can mix it up in the ninth minute. After a series of slick, short passes, Toni Kroos suddenly let fly with a ferocious 25-yard drive that stung Pantilimon’s palms.
City’s reserve keeper had to be at his best in the 29th minute, dropping to his left to turn away a Robben drive, but, after soaking up relentless pressure, Pellegrini’s side at least finished the half with some attacking intent.
Stevan Jovetic wasn’t far away with a right-foot shot, after cutting in from the left, while Negredo’s close-range header was near enough to Manuel Neuer for the Bayern keeper to stick out a hand and parry it away.
There was no denying Negredo in the 61st minute, but City could hardly quibble with the way Bayern rallied swiftly and reasserted themselves to run out worthy winners.