The Percfect Start

Domènec Torrent only had one brief Saturday session with his new team before taking charge of a home encounter with the league’s defending champions.

Since the option to come to New York was first mooted, Torrent has been studying the team and its recent games so he had some familiarity with his charges to pull upon, though it was still a brave decision to take the reins here, mere hours after arriving in the country.

Fortunately, Domè is now building upon the excellent foundations laid by his predecessor Patrick Vieira and he named an unchanged XI from the 1-1 draw with Atlanta last time out, making only minor alterations to the starting positions of the players selected.

Undeservedly trailing at the interval, a spot of motivation was what was required from the new boss at the interval.

Asked by reporters what he said to the players at 0-1 at the halftime break, he revealed: “You are New York City’s club. Never give up.”

It had the desired effect as Jo Inge Berget’s brace turned the tide and thrust City back towards the standings summit.

A good start.