PEP PROVIDES SQUAD UPDATE AHEAD OF COMMUNITY SHIELD
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that City’s England EURO 2024 trio of Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones as well as Spanish star Rodrigo will not be available for selection for Saturday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester United.
City lock horns with our nearest neighbours at Wembley on Saturday in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season with the action in the capital getting under way at 3pm (UK).
A number of our players who were involved in the summer showpiece in Germany returned to training this week, including Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji along with the Club’s Portuguese contingent.
But, speaking at his pre-match press conference, the boss confirmed that Foden, Stones and Walker, who helped England reach the EURO
So rotate the players as much as possible, and game by game we’ll see what happens.”
Saturday’s clash, which will be the 194th competitive Manchester derby, is also a repeat of the last two FA Cup finals.
City claimed the bragging rights in a 2023 with a 2-1 win which concluded a domestic Double and primed the way for the Club’s historic Treble.
However, United gained a measure of revenge last May by securing 2-1 win to deny City what would have been a historic double Double.
And for the boss tomorrow’s encounter carries more than enough incentive, both in terms of prestige as well as further vital preparation for the rigours ahead.
“It’s important, it’s a final against United. But part of that is to try refine ourselves step by step,” Guardiola added.
“Our break for most of the players and the young players, how they behave on a bigger stage [try to play] a good game.
“We will go for it.”
2024 final, along with Rodrigo, who lifted the trophy with Spain, would not return to training until next week.
We try to give them the best rest as possible as much as possible. We would like more time but it is what it is, we gave them a lot,” Guardiola said.
“All the players came back, the England players and Rodri will come back next week.
“What we like to give them is what it is, don’t think about the schedule.
“What’s next, training sessions, it’s just step by step, the next game, try to be smart enough to the training and the right amount of time, so be fresh in the mind.
So rotate the players as much as possible, and game by game we’ll see what happens.”
Saturday’s clash, which will be the 194th competitive Manchester derby, is also a repeat of the last two FA Cup finals.
City claimed the bragging rights in a 2023 with a 2-1 win which concluded a domestic Double and primed the way for the Club’s historic Treble.
However, United gained a measure of revenge last May by securing 2-1 win to deny City what would have been a historic double Double.
And for the boss tomorrow’s encounter carries more than enough incentive, both in terms of prestige as well as further vital preparation for the rigours ahead.
“It’s important, it’s a final against United. But part of that is to try refine ourselves step by step,” Guardiola added.
“Our break for most of the players and the young players, how they behave on a bigger stage [try to play] a good game.
“We will go for it.”
