Boss Guardiola has maintained last season’s disappointment was down to the number of injuries his side suffered, particularly losing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a serious knee injury for most of the campaign.
The Spaniard’s absence left a gaping hole and the centre of the park lacked real energy, with Nico Gonzalez signed for £50m from Porto in January and Reijnders added from AC Milan for £42.5m in the summer.
The Dutchman showed glimpses of his capabilities at the Club World Cup but gave fans in England a real taste of what to expect in the Premier League.
Reijnders said: “I saw the intensity and it is pretty hard, but it is nice to play in the Premier League and to score on my debut is always nice.
“I’m always trying to find space in the box and work to give assists. My type of game is to be a box-to-box player and help the team with goals and assists.”
Reijnders’ footwork and chipped pass for the opening goal was sublime, while there was nothing Jose Sa could do for his first-half goal which was clipped across goal and into the bottom corner.
There were also early signs of an understanding building up with star striker Erling Haaland as his disguised pass allowed the Norwegian to net his second goal.
As well as his goal contributions, Reijnders’ dominant performance is highlighted by the fact he had 82 touches of the ball and completed 52 of his 57 passes.
Reijnders also completed 22 passes in the final third – the second most in the City team behind Gonzalez (24).
With neither Rodri nor Phil Foden available as they return to full fitness, City’s midfield will be a force to be reckoned with once the duo make a comeback.
“Tijjani Reijnders is the star man for me,” former England full-back Chris Powell said on Radio 5 Live.
“You will see a new-look Man City midfield and you still have Phil Foden and Rodri to come back – they have laid a small marker down.
“For City, it was a disappointing season for them last year, so they have got a lot to play for this year.”
