London (AFP)

Manchester City kicked off the season as he finished last: by winning a trophy, the Community Shield, but the Citizens had to resort to penalty kicks against Liverpool (1-1, 5 tab at 4) on Sunday at Wembley.

Last year already, the Mancunians had begun with a success during this traditional curtain-raiser of the season. The first success of a long series, since the men of Pep Guardiola had achieved the triplet Championship-FA Cup and Coupe de la Ligue.

So it was their great rival last season, Liverpool, they found, as a Premier League, a few months after their thrilling fight for the title of champion.

Things started badly for the Citizens who lost Leroy Sané to injury in the 11th minute. The German winger limped out after contact with Trent Alexander-Arnold. But Pep Guardiola's men quickly erased this annoyance, opening the mark thanks to the former Reds, Raheem Sterling, superbly served by David Silva (1-0, 12th).

In the wake, Mohamed Salah responded by getting rid of Oleksandr Zinchenko on the right side, but his shot then found the post (15th).

In the second half, the Egyptian striker again touched wood. Reds definitely not polish, since just before this opportunity a shot by Virgil Van Dijk hit the bar before falling back on the line (57th).

- Decisive Bravo -

Failing to equalize, the defender was decisive a few minutes later returning to Raheem Sterling gone against and looking for a doubled (61). But especially by addressing a decisive pass for Joel Matip, author of a logical equalizer (1-1, 77th), so the players of Jürgen Klopp dominated this period.

In the final minutes, Salah thought he gave the victory to his side of the head, but Kyle Walker came to save by deflecting the ball with the tip of the foot (90 + 2). Then Claudio Bravo made a final save against Xherdan Shaqiri (90 + 4).

In the penalty shoot-out that followed, City's goalkeeper was again decisive in stopping Georginio Wijnaldum's attempt (5 to 4).

City gets a sixth Community Shield and a perfect start to the season. For their part, the winners of the last Champions League, will have another opportunity to glean a title on August 14 during the European Supercup against Chelsea, winner of the Europa League.

© 2019 AFP