SM
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 17 hrs 33 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City squad "in an incredible mood" ahead of season opener

:Headline: Pep Guardiola: Manchester City squad 'in an incredible mood' ahead of season opener: ID:415122: from db_amp
From the outside, the club's pre-season has been less than ideal.

Pep Guardiola feels his Manchester City squad are in great shape as they prepare to launch their latest Premier League campaign.

City return to action after a shortened summer break when they travel to Wolves on Monday evening.

From the outside, the club's pre-season has been less than ideal.

City's record goalscorer Sergio Aguero will miss the start of the season through injury (Martin Rickett/NMC Pool)

They have made two key new signings in centre-half Nathan Ake and winger Ferran Torres but the squad may still be a central defender light and greater depth in the left-back position may still be required.

Injury has robbed them of the services of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who could be out of action for a further two months, while Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte are short of fitness after positive Covid-19 tests.

In addition to this there have been the distractions of heavy speculation linking them with Lionel Messi and Phil Foden's disciplinary indiscretion while on international duty.

It has also been just five weeks since the 2019-20 season ended in disappointing fashion with a Champions League quarter-final defeat to Lyon.

“I see the team in an incredible mood, and it is a joy to work with them.”
- Pep Guardiola

Nevertheless, Guardiola is ready for action.

"My feeling is good as always," Guardiola said. "It's a joy to work with these players at this club.

"I see the team in an incredible mood, and it is a joy to work with them, we've got good expectations to play good football, get the results this club deserves and continue the consistency that we got in the last few years."

Despite finishing as runners-up, City were underwhelming in the Premier League last season, finishing a distant second to champions Liverpool.

Guardiola's side were beaten nine times throughout the campaign.

City were beaten twice by Wolves last season (Nick Potts/PA)

Two of those losses came at the hands of Wolves and Guardiola admits travelling to Molineux, ahead of games against Leicester and Leeds, makes for a tough start.

He said: "They are always strong. We played them in the Carabao Cup when they were in the Championship and it was tough, we won on penalties. It is always a really difficult game.

"Whether it's Leicester or Leeds away, we know how tough it is."

With the season beginning a month later than usual following last season's suspension, but with a plan for time to be made up, City's schedule will be intense.

"It is what it is," Guardiola said. "We cannot change the situation. We have to adapt."

amp_article__415122 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-20 08:17:17:
html db last update - 2020-09-20 08:17:17 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .