Man City take on Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League season opener next Sunday but according to Pep Guardiola, his side will have to grind out wins during the first few weeks.
City suffered a 1-0 loss to Leicester City in the Community Shield this weekend and it was a starting XI that included teenagers like Sam Edozie and Cole Palmer.
Few Manchester City players are out with injuries while others have just joined the squad after a delayed holiday. And this is why the synergy of the first-team squad has not yet built up.
“I would have loved to win the game,” said Guardiola, after the Community Shield game.
“Congratulations to Leicester for the victory, but the performance was really good. At this stage of the season, and to play the young guys, was excellent.
“With a little bit of luck and with better decisions in the final third we could have scored. But with all the players out, the players who have trained together the last two weeks have been exceptional.
“We were so good. That is the first step to try again and compete this season.
“It happened last season, we arrived late. Tomorrow seven or eight players arrive back. That’s why I guess at the beginning of the season we will try to get results without being at our best.
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“We know we will not be at our best but the players will be better next Sunday. That is the process we have to do.
“I saw many good things today. I don’t think we played badly and I told the guys how proud I am. But in this business you need to win.”
Man City will have to put their foot on the peddle from the very first week but since Tottenham are also in a rebuilding phase, City should be under no major pressure.
Man City are being linked with Harry Kane so there is a big chance the forward might not feature for the Lilywhites next Sunday. And if Kane is not playing then it will be an added advantage for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City have not sold a single player during the ongoing transfer window so it will not be a big task for Pep Guardiola to get the sync back amongst his first-team players.
