The opening day of the Premiership season was, at times, both frustrating and sublime. For Manchester City fans that’s similar to the whole of last season. Eventually the blues would get the three points, two goals and keep the clean sheet. Kyle Walker impressed but there was still that concern over not converting our chances.
That’s why I feel this friendly with Girona is not as crazy as it first might seem. Yes the game comes barely 35 hours after the final whistle went at the Amex Stadium, but I think it adds value to our season. Or at least the potential.
Firstly, we do not have to take to the pitch in the Premier League until Monday evening. That works in our favour, but also, don’t forget Everton actually also have a game midweek. Our opponents next Monday don’t have to travel on Thursday night, but Ronald Koeman will also not have the luxury of trying out new players. It is an important game and a must win essentially. Meanwhile Pep will see others coming back and maybe making final decisions on some of the youth.
Interestingly Kyle Walker did not travel but Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy did. If they get some time and come out the other end okay it will be worth the trip in itself. After eight months on the sidelines it will be great to see Gundogan back in a City shirt. He certainly looked good in the games he did play last term. Don’t forget that, with the Confederations Cup in the summer, Pep did have a couple of players return late to the pre-season festivities. This will allow Pep to evaluate and work with these guys also, bad news is Bravo could start in goal.
Don’t forget also that Girona have several City players on their books, Alex Garcia, Marlos Moreno, Douglas Luiz and Pablo Maffeo will all spend their season at our opponents this season. It is a gamble but if, when City return to Manchester on Thursday evening, there are no new injury concerns, it will have been a success.
Squad List:
1. Claudio Bravo
3. Danilo
4. Vincent Kompany
5. John Stones
7. Raheem Sterling
8. İlkay Gündoğan
10. Sergio Aguero
15. Eliaquim Mangala
17. Kevin De Bruyne
18. Fabian Delph
19. Leroy Sané
20. Bernardo Silva
21. David Silva
22. Benjamin Mendy
24. Tosin Adarabioyo
25. Fernandinho
27. Patrick Roberts
30. Nicolas Otamendi
31. Ederson
32. Daniel Grimshaw
33. Gabriel Jesus
35. Oleksandr Zinchenko
42. Yaya Touré
47. Phil Foden
55. Brahim Diaz
