Manchester City will face Italian giants AC Milan in a friendly as their pre-season tour of the USA continues. The Citizens lost to Scottish champions Celtic 4-3 in a thrilling encounter earlier this week and will be hoping to get back to winning ways as the new Premier League season inches closer. Pep Guardiola’s men will face Milan today at 11:00 pm (British Summer Time) at the Yankee Stadium in New York.
Team News
Manchester City have the same squad available as they did against Celtic. Many of their senior players who participated in the UEFA Euros or the Copa America are absent after receiving an extended vacation.
Youngsters such as Luke Mbete, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand all started against Celtic and are expected to be heavily involved again.
Match Preview
AC Milan have a new manager in Paulo Fonseca and will be expected to be experimental in their playing style as they attempt to settle on a tactical style. Stefano Pioli led Milan last season but was sacked in May following a bad run of form. Fonseca will also have a few of his key players missing following their involvement in the Euros.
Man City will be hoping to record their first victory of their pre-season tour of the USA. Despite their loss to Celtic, Guardiola was happy with his team’s performance, stating, “I saw many good things from the new and old players. It wasn’t easy, we have senior players up front and the back four eight or nine who are so young.”
“It’s difficult in one department when there are so many who are young but I saw many good things. Oscar and Rico are always at a high level,” the manager added.
City have faced Milan in two pre-season tournaments so far and have won both matches. Guardiola will be looking to make it three in three as they chase an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Predicted Starting Line-Up
Man City are expected to go with a similar starting lineup as they did against Celtic. Oscar Bobb will be hoping to build on his man-of-the-match performance from last time. The big question will be whether Stefan Ortega starts ahead of Ederson, who is linked with a summer exit. The German started ahead of the Brazilian against Celtic and is likely to do so again. Kalvin Phillips’ involvement is also to be seen as the midfielder continues to be linked with a departure.
Predicted Line-up: Ortega; Lewis, Mbete, Simpson-Pusey, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone, McAtee; Bobb, Grealish, Haaland
