Manchester City won 3-1 against the K-League All Stars in Seoul, but the clearest number from the night was Tijjani Reijnders' 8/10 rating. He scored, set one up and looked the sharpest player on the pitch in a game shaped as much by the heat as the scoreline. City made 11 changes in an hour to protect players, so this was a useful fitness check as much as a pre-season result.
Reijnders at the top of City's ratings
Reijnders was the obvious headline performer. BBC Sport's summary of his display was blunt enough: "Showcased what he is capable of. Given license to roam and looked effective with his marauding runs into the box, playing a huge part in the opening goal and rasping home a lovely second."
That fits the night City had. Reijnders was involved in the key attacking moments and looked comfortable taking up advanced positions, which is exactly what you want to see in a pre-season game where rhythm can easily vanish after mass substitutions.
There was good support around him too. Antoine Semenyo also earned an 8/10 and his audacious flick helped set up Reijnders' goal. Rayan Aït-Nouri scored as well and finished with a 7/10, which made him one of the stronger performers from deeper areas.
City's scorers told the basic story of the game. Reijnders, Aït-Nouri and Divin Mubama got the goals in the 3-1 win, while Jeremy Monga had a goal ruled out in his first City appearance. In a normal pre-season friendly that might feel like a footnote, but on a night with constant changes it was one of the more interesting moments.
The heat and rotation shaped the game
The most revealing detail was not tactical, it was practical. City made 11 changes in an hour because of the extreme heat, and that changed how the match had to be judged.
In those conditions, long stretches of controlled football matter less than who still looks sharp, who can carry the ball cleanly and who makes a clear impression before the next wave of substitutions. Reijnders did that. Semenyo did too. Aït-Nouri's goal gave him a solid night as well.
The rotation also makes some of the lower-key displays easier to read. Mateo Kovačić was rated 7/10 and looked lively enough to count as an encouraging early sign. He told BBC Sport to "count on me", and that line lands better when paired with a performance that suggested he is ready to handle minutes.
There is an obvious limit to any strong conclusion from a game played in these conditions, but City still got what they needed from it. They protected players, spread the workload and still had a few individuals stand out clearly.
Kovacic's readiness and the manager confusion to ignore
Kovacic's display probably matters most beyond the headline names. He was described as looking fully fit and, with Rodri absent, City need that kind of reassurance in midfield. A 7/10 in early August does not settle anything, but it is a better sign than a quiet outing would have been.
One point around the reporting should be treated carefully. BBC live coverage referred to Enzo Maresca as City's manager, while other supplied context pulls against that. It is safer to leave that aside and stick to the parts of the night that are clear enough: City won 3-1, Reijnders was the standout, and the extreme heat forced heavy rotation.
For player ratings, that is really where the game sits. Reijnders set the standard on the night, Semenyo was close behind, Aït-Nouri added a goal, and Kovacic gave City an encouraging fitness signal before the pre-season schedule moves on.
FAQ
Who was Manchester City's best player against the K-League All Stars?
Tijjani Reijnders was the standout in City's 3-1 win in Seoul. He scored, provided an assist and received an 8/10 rating, which put him at the top of the night's individual performances.
Why did Manchester City make 11 changes in an hour against the K-League All Stars?
City made 11 changes in an hour to protect players from the extreme heat in Seoul. The conditions shaped the game and meant several players were being judged more on sharpness and readiness than on the result alone.
Did any other Manchester City players impress apart from Tijjani Reijnders?
Yes. Antoine Semenyo also received an 8/10 after helping create Reijnders' goal with an audacious flick, while Rayan Aït-Nouri scored and earned a 7/10. Mateo Kovacic's 7/10 was also an encouraging early fitness sign.
What happened in Jeremy Monga's first Manchester City appearance?
Jeremy Monga had a goal ruled out in his first City appearance. It was one of the notable moments in a match that also saw Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Divin Mubama score in the 3-1 win.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
