Manchester City wrap up their tour of Asia in Seoul on Sunday against Atletico Madrid, the final run-out for Enzo Maresca’s squad before they face Arsenal in the Community Shield.
The Italian has the unenviable task of trying to replace Pep Guardiola at the helm but is pleased with the progress made so far.
“The only thing I have said since I started to the players is that for me it’s a new reset. All of them start at same level,” Maresca said. “It has been very good since day one. They have been very open minded about a new manager arriving.
“We have changed some structures and some patterns, the way we play on the ball off the ball and in general.
“This is the main change, the work ethic from the ones who have been here year after year also is important.
“These 10 days together are so important. I need a connection with them – and it’s so important for the future.”
This is City’s second game in South Korea having beaten the K-League All-Stars 3-1 on Wednesday. They opened the tour with a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Hong Kong.
Atletico Madrid, still marshalled by Diego Simeone, have played two games in their pre-season campaign, beating Getafe 4-1 before going down 2-1 to Manchester United.
They could hand a debut to new signing and local hero Lee Kang-in following his move from PSG.
“I have been watching this team for a long time and I have known all along how big of a club they are,” Lee said. “And I am really happy to have a chance to play for this team. The head coach and the management made me feel they really wanted me. They compete for trophies every year and I feel like I can continue to grow as a player and lift more trophies with this club.”
Lee will inherit the number seven shirt worn by Atleti legend Antoine Griezmann.
“I know the number means so much because so many legends of the club have worn it before me,” Lee said. “But I am only thinking about how I can best help the team and how I can keep improving as a player. Doing my best each and every day to help the club is the most important thing for me. I am not thinking about anything else.”
Team news for Man City v Atletico Madrid
Maresca is still without some of the players who performed in the latter stages of the World Cup, including Erling Haaland. That has allowed a younger crop of players to stake their claims on the tour with Jeremy Monga, Divin Mubama and Ryan McAidoo all impressing.
Atletico have named a 27-man squad for the game featuring plenty of experience, including Jan Oblak, Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez and Koke.
Julian Alvarez and Marcos Llorente are still on their post-World Cup break.
Expected line-ups for Man City v Atletico Madrid
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Reijnders, Kovacic; Semenyo, Foden, Savinho; Marmoush
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Sola, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Cardoso, Koke, Hjulmand; Kang-in, Martin, Lookman
How to watch Man City v Atletico Madrid: TV and online streams
Manchester City versus Atletico Madrid kicks off at 12 pm UK time on Sunday. It is not being televised but you can stream it on CITY+ and the official Man City app.
Stats for Man City v Atletico Madrid
- Manchester City and Atletico Madrid last met in the 2021/22 Champions League quarter-finals, with City winning 1-0 at home before a 0-0 draw in Madrid sent them through
- Sunday’s game is City’s last before they face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley next weekend
- Atletico finished fourth in the Liga table last season
Prediction for Man City v Atletico Madrid
Both sides are treating this as a final tune-up rather than a statement of intent, but City’s squad, even without its World Cup contingent, should have enough quality to see off an Atletico side still finding its rhythm in pre-season.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Atletico Madrid
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