News / Man City vs Celtic: United States tour ‘not easy’, says Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called his team’s inexperience “difficult” in their thrilling 4-3 defeat to Celtic in North Carolina in the opening game of their American tour.
Led by Erling Haaland, the reigning Premier League champions trailed 3-1 at half-time in their first pre-season friendly, with Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn scoring twice for the Scottish Premiership champions.
Maximo Perrone’s goal in the 46th minute and Haaland’s header 11 minutes later equalised for City, with Luis Palma scoring the winning goal for the Hoops in the 68th minute.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 24, 2024
“We create chances, but they are very clever with their speed and quality,” Guardiola said, adding that he had noticed “a lot of smart things” in a team that also had former England foreigner Kalvin Phillips in midfield, accompanied by Jack Grealish Haaland. . .
“We have to live those conditions in the preseason and we will start from there. It is not easy; We have some. . . 8 or nine who are very young.
“It’s difficult in a reserve team when there are so many young players, but I’ve noticed a lot of things about new and old players. “
Guardiola said defender Rico Lewis, 19, and winger Oscar Bobb, 21, who took City’s point for 3 minutes in the first half, had played at a “high point”.
It was the two players who had 90 minutes on a night in which the Cityzens used 14 homegrown players.
“He’s rich and he can play in his pocket,” Guardiola observed. “Maybe it’s his natural position, but we didn’t have any players in the back four.
“He is very dynamic, his first control and his vision are good. I was very happy with his performance. Sometimes [Bobb’s] a little shy, but when he plays without fear, he has incredible potential.
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 24, 2024
The tour continues Milan in New York on Saturday (23:00 BST), Barcelona in Orlando on July 31 (midnight BST) and Chelsea in Ohio on August 3 (22:30 BST).
“They were difficult opponents,” Guardiola said of Celtic. “AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea have the most sensible players.
“These are stages, and it’s to see how loan players come back and perform, as well as the speed [build] for the seniors. “
City will open their season against United in the Community Shield on Aug. 10 and Chelsea eight days later in their Premier League opener.