A goal-free afternoon in the burning sun, then. Such paucity of riches wasn’t, though, for the want of trying.
Ralph Hasenhüttl saw two summer signings help dig him out of big trouble against Leeds United - but the problems at Southampton remained apparent.
The winger was denied by the woodwork and the offside flag in the season opener against Fulham.
Haaland only had eight touches in City’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth but they included an assist for Ilkay Gundogan.