Manchester City wrap up their tour of Asia in Seoul on Sunday towards Atletico Madrid, the ultimate run-out for Enzo Maresca’s squad earlier than they face Arsenal within the Neighborhood Defend.
The Italian has the unenviable activity of attempting to interchange Pep Guardiola on the helm however is happy with the progress made thus far.
“The one factor I’ve mentioned since I began to the gamers is that for me it’s a brand new reset. All of them begin at similar stage,” Maresca mentioned. “It has been superb since day one. They’ve been very open minded a few new supervisor arriving.
“We now have modified some buildings and a few patterns, the best way we play on the ball off the ball and normally.
“That is the primary change, the work ethic from those who’ve been right here 12 months after 12 months is also essential.
“These 10 days collectively are so essential. I want a reference to them – and it’s so essential for the longer term.”
That is Metropolis’s second recreation in South Korea having overwhelmed the Okay-League All-Stars 3-1 on Wednesday. They opened the tour with a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Hong Kong.
Atletico Madrid, nonetheless marshalled by Diego Simeone, have performed two video games of their pre-season marketing campaign, beating Getafe 4-1 earlier than taking place 2-1 to Manchester United.
They may hand a debut to new signing and native hero Lee Kang-in following his transfer from PSG.
“I’ve been watching this workforce for a very long time and I’ve identified all alongside how huge of a membership they’re,” Lee mentioned. “And I’m actually pleased to have an opportunity to play for this workforce. The top coach and the administration made me really feel they actually wished me. They compete for trophies yearly and I really feel like I can proceed to develop as a participant and raise extra trophies with this membership.”
Lee will inherit the quantity seven shirt worn by Atleti legend Antoine Griezmann.
“I do know the quantity means a lot as a result of so many legends of the membership have worn it earlier than me,” Lee mentioned. “However I’m solely enthusiastic about how I can finest assist the workforce and the way I can hold enhancing as a participant. Doing my finest every day to assist the membership is an important factor for me. I’m not enthusiastic about anything.”
Staff information for Man Metropolis v Atletico Madrid
Maresca remains to be with out a number of the gamers who carried out within the latter phases of the World Cup, together with Erling Haaland. That has allowed a youthful crop of gamers to stake their claims on the tour with Jeremy Monga, Divin Mubama and Ryan McAidoo all impressing.
Atletico have named a 27-man squad for the sport that includes loads of expertise, together with Jan Oblak, Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez and Koke.
Julian Alvarez and Marcos Llorente are nonetheless on their post-World Cup break.
Anticipated line-ups for Man Metropolis v Atletico Madrid
Manchester Metropolis: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Reijnders, Kovacic; Semenyo, Foden, Savinho; Marmoush
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Sola, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Cardoso, Koke, Hjulmand; Kang-in, Martin, Lookman
Learn how to watch Man Metropolis v Atletico Madrid: TV and on-line streams
Manchester Metropolis versus Atletico Madrid kicks off at 12 pm UK time on Sunday. It isn’t being televised however you possibly can stream it on CITY+ and the official Man Metropolis app.
Stats for Man Metropolis v Atletico Madrid
- Manchester Metropolis and Atletico Madrid final met within the 2021/22 Champions League quarter-finals, with Metropolis profitable 1-0 at house earlier than a 0-0 attract Madrid despatched them by
- Sunday’s recreation is Metropolis’s final earlier than they face Arsenal within the Neighborhood Defend at Wembley subsequent weekend
- Atletico completed fourth within the Liga desk final season
Prediction for Man Metropolis v Atletico Madrid
Each side are treating this as a ultimate tune-up slightly than a press release of intent, however Metropolis’s squad, even with out its World Cup contingent, ought to have sufficient high quality to see off an Atletico aspect nonetheless discovering its rhythm in pre-season.
Prediction: Man Metropolis 2-1 Atletico Madrid
