Preview
Hours after securing a win in their opening Premier League weekend fixture against Brighton, Pep and his squad find themselves jetting off to Spain for a four day ‘intensive training camp` which includes a friendly fixture against La Liga newcomers Girona FC.
Girona have had close ties with Manchester City for several years and the City Football Group have sought to strengthen these ties recently although it is understood that any deal is not likely to be a full acquisition by CFG. The depth of these links may well be demonstrated on Tuesday afternoon given that four City youngsters are on loan at the 13,500 capacity Estadi Montilivi and may well feature against their parent club. Pablo Maffeo, who joined Girona last season and helped them to promotion to La Liga for the first time in the club’s history, has had his loan deal extended for a second season and has been joined by Aleix Garcia and new City recruits Marlos Moreno and Douglas Luiz.
The Catalonian club commence their inaugural campaign in Spain`s top flight on 19th August against Atletico Madrid who finished in third place last season. A tough opening fixture for sure although having twice failed to gain promotion in the previous two seasons through the play offs at least they have been knocking on the door and so should be able to give a good account of themselves.
As for City, I would expect to see more game time for some of City`s squad players, those destined for the shop window (Yes Samir, that means you) and the youngsters that showed such promise in the US tour matches – Foden, Diaz, Duhenny & Adarabioyo. With Everton looming at the weekend one might expect City`s more senior players be kept at arm`s length from the risk of injury in a ‘competitive` friendly. After all, Pablo Machin`s players will be looking to catch his eye and make sure they are on the team sheet for the historic opening game of their La Liga campaign and so they might be a little???enthusiastic. That said, there are also benefits from giving the players more time together on the pitch
Despite being talked up by Txiki Bergiristain as an ‘intensive training camp` nevertheless it does have me puzzled that they are travelling abroad so soon – even given the relationship between the clubs – given that it`s not like the players have to drive themselves to the local park in East Manchester and get changed in their cars. They do have access to some decent facilities near their stadium if I recall. Still, there may well be benefit in keeping the group close together given that there are some new signings still integrating themselves into the squad and as long as we return to Manchester without shipping any injuries then all will be well. But having been concerned that we would be undercooked in our preparations perhaps an extra game is not to be baulked at and with the Everton game taking place on Monday 21st August there is capacity to fit in the trip without creating too much pressure.
Let`s hope the squad enjoys the break – the hard work awaits them on their return with a match against an Everton side that have not sat still under Koeman.
Come on City!!!
Our opponents
Founded in 1930, Girona are a club that has spent the entirety of their history in and around the lower reaches of the Spanish football pyramid.
Flirting with promotion from Segunda B – the Spanish second tier – for a couple of seasons, including a last-day defeat when promotion looked assured and a play-off defeat to eventual winners Real Zaragoza, Girona finally won promotion to La Liga in May.
The Catalan side finished runners-up to Levante and will now compete with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Atlético Madrid
Team News
Girona team news is hard to come by but aside from the acquisitions of City`s loanees they have also recruited the experienced striker Chistian Stuani as well as his former Midlesboro team mate Bernardo Espinosa. They also have a goalkeeper called Bono.
City`s long term absentee Ilkay Gundogan could feature in this match nearly nine months after rupturing his cruciate ligaments in December. Mendy remains unavailable in line with City`s policy of recruiting at least one pre-injured player in the summer transfer window.
Potential starting XI, subs & formation
Well, this is a challenge & no mistake but after several changes I went with the option of Pep desiring his players to get more game time and strengthen the defensive understanding and giving Mangala another opportunity to stake a claim to stay at the Etihad, whilst giving new signing Bernardo Silva a start and Foden another taste of the big time. The big guns may make an appearance later??
Ederson
Kompany, Stones, Mangala
Walker, Silva, B, Toure, Foden, Danilo
Sterling, G Jesus
Subs:-
Bravo, Otamendi, Adarabioyo, Gundogan, Silva D, Sane, Aguero
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City are making coverage of the game available to all members of the Cityzens membership scheme. The live stream will be available from 5pm (BST) at mancity.com/live. It is free to join and details can be found here https://www.mancity.com/news/club-news/club-news/2017/august/cityzens-watch-girona-v-city
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