Man City fire blanks in shootout defeat but McAidoo stars

[Getty Images] Enzo Maresca's first game in charge of Manchester City ended in a defeat on penalties to Inter Milan after a 1-1 friendly draw in Hong Kong - but results don't really matter in friendlies. Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola this summer - and the new boss got off to the perfect start when Divin Mubama scored the opener from close range on 14 minutes. Benjamin Pavard equalised for Inter six minutes later, but neither team were able to find a winner in the second half. The damage was done when City missed their first three spot-kicks, with Matteo Lavelli netting the winner for the Serie A side. Players' pre-season performances do matter though - and teenager Ryan McAidoo grabbed the opportunity with both hands at Kai Tak Stadium. More than 40,000 supporters turned out for a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final and they will have left with his name on their lips. The 18-year-old was signed from Chelsea two years ago and clearly has something about him. He was given his debut by Guardiola and scored in the 10-1 FA Cup drubbing of Exeter City last season. He also played against Salford City in the next round. "Since day one, he has been the kind of winger I love," said Maresca. "He is very aggressive in 1v1s, always trying and looking to make the right decision. "But he is young and he needs the right path." McAidoo replaced goalscorer Mubama at the start of the second half and was in no mood to stand still. Once he began to get the better of Inter's defenders, there was an air of anticipation every time he got on the ball. He was the star of the show. The likes of Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly and Cole Palmer have come through City's academy in recent years to make it into the first team, so will McAidoo be the next to establish himself as a regular?