Enzo Maresca's first game in charge of Manchester City may have ended in penalty-shootout defeat by Inter Milan but results don't really matter in friendlies.
Players' pre-season performances do matter though - and teenager Ryan McAidoo grabbed the opportunity with both hands at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
More than 40,000 supporters turned out for a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final and though this time it was a non-competitive fixture, they will have left the stadium with McAidoo's 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 former City boss Pep Guardiola and scored in the 10-1 FA Cup drubbing of Exeter City last season. He also played against Salford in the next round.
It is early days but he is already beginning to impress new boss Maresca.
"We have been speaking with the club about Ryan and since day one he is that kind of winger I love," said the Italian. "Very aggressive one v one, always trying, making the right decision.
"But he is young and he needs the right path."
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McAidoo replaced City goalscorer Divin 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 Milan's defenders, there was an air of anticipation every time he got on the ball - a low cross after a quick dart was cut out at the near post.
He could have been the match-winner when he clipped a low shot against the foot of the post, while another drifted narrowly wide.
Nevertheless, McAidoo 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 can McAidoo establish himself as a regular?
Contributor Harry said on BBC Sport's live text page: "I get the feeling I had with Foden, O'Reilly and Palmer when it comes to McAidoo.
"You just feel like he's ready to play. I'd love to see him playing against a free-flowing side.
"He is so positive and wants to go forward constantly."
Asked if McAidoo will be given a chance in cup games or whether a loan move away will be sanctioned, Maresca provided an encouraging response.
"At the moment, with most of the young players, the idea was to see them in pre-season and then decide," he said.
"We started 10 days ago. Ryan is working well, he just has to continue then we will take the right decision. I am always very open with the young players.
"When I was at Leicester, that season there was a record number of debutants. When I was at Chelsea, record debutants from the academy. If they are good, there is no problem."
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