Manchester City will face Barcelona in their final friendly of their pre-season tour of the USA. Man City lost to Italian giants AC Milan 3-2 earlier this week and will be hoping to get back to winning ways as the new Premier League season inches closer. Pep Guardiola’s men will face Barca tomorrow at 12:00 am (British Summer Time) at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Manchester City Team News vs Barcelona
Manchester City have the same squad available as they did against Celtic & AC Milan. Many of their senior players who participated in the UEFA Euros or the Copa America are absent after receiving an extended vacation. Youngsters such as James McAtee, Maximo Perrone, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey all played a part against Celtic and AC Milan and are expected to be heavily involved again.
Manchester City vs Barcelona Match Preview
Barcelona have a new manager in Hansi Flick who will be hoping to bring back much-needed trophies to Camp Nou. While Manchester City have already played two friendlies prior to this match as part of their pre-season preparation, this game will be Barca’s first game of the new season. Barca have played Man City competitively six times and have won five of them.
The Blaugrana will also not have their full-strength team following their involvement in the UEFA Euros and the Copa America. With this being Barcelona’s first pre-season outing, the players are expected to be rusty and not at full fitness. Hansi Flick is expected to experiment heavily in this game as he searches for the perfect formation and tactical style for his team.
Guardiola, on the other hand, will be hoping to get a much-needed victory to boost their morale ahead of their next game against rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield. While the manager will be setting his team up to win, he is also looking forward to playing Barca, a club he has had a great association with.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly or an official game against Barcelona, for me personally, for the Club and team it will always be so special. I am here thanks to Barcelona – they gave me absolutely everything. It’s not words to be nice to Catalonia, it is the truth.”
Man City Predicted Lineup vs Barca
Man City will be expected to field a strong team for their final friendly in their pre-season preparation. Ederson will be expected to start again as he looks likely to stay as of now. Croatian teammates Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will also be looking to start alongside youngsters Simpson-Pusey and Perrone. Guardiola will be banking on Oscar Bobb to continue his fantastic pre-season showing so far.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona: Ederson; Lewis, Simpson-Pusey, Doyle, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland.
