Pep Guardiola’s reign as the new Manchester City manager began with a narrow 1-0 defeat against his former club Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich midfielder Erdal Ozturk scored the only goal of the match in the 76th minute after his shot hit City defender Gael Clichy’s boot and rolled into the corner.

The game was played at a gentle pace but there were still intriguing glimpses from the Guardiola playbook on show, including an increased emphasis on pressing, reports the Manchester City website

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho made his presence known in the first-half and he was in the thick of the action in the 22nd minute after he exchanged passes with Jesus Navas and curled in a looping shot which beat Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal but landed on the roof of the Bayern goal.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero came to City’s rescue after he made a few fine saves as Bayern’s greater experience started to show with clever passing triangles and incisive dribbles from winger Franck Ribery opening up a fledgling City defence.

City started the second half looking more confidently but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 76th minute with a fortuitously deflected strike from Ozturk which wrong-footed Angus Gunn to hand Bayern a 1-0 lead.

Substitute Bersant Celina went close to scoring an equaliser in the 85th minutes but ultimately saw his shot cleared off the line. host held on to the victory

The host held on to their 1-0 lead to beat former manager Pep Guardiola on his return to the Allianz Arena.

Image: Bayern Munich website