Man Cityvs.AC Milan

Pep Guardiola's side won their fourth-consecutive Premier League title last season, while AC Milan finished second in Serie A with 75 points but ended 19 points behind winners Inter Milan.

Match preview

The Citizens have enjoyed an unprecedent era of success in the Premier League, and their most recent title win was their sixth in seven seasons.

City accumulated 91 points last term and held off fierce competition from competitors Arsenal and Liverpool, proving once again that they were the England's best side.

Despite their success, they will have been disappointed to have been knocked out of the Champions League last season against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, and they also ended the campaign on a sour note after they lost the FA Cup final against city-rivals Manchester United on May 25th.

There is also an air of uncertainty at the club given Guardiola has entered the final year of his contract, and the hearing in November when they are set to defend themselves against 115 charges of breaching the Premier League's financial rules is looming.

Having said that, Guardiola will only be focused on delivering a fifth consecutive title and will look to ensure his side are ready for their Community Shield clash against the Red Devils on August 10th.

In their last pre-season friendly, City lost 4-3 against Celtic on July 24 but Erling Haaland managed to find the back of the net in typical fashion.

Opponents AC Milan will be hoping that their pre-season fixtures can get the team accustomed to new manager Paulo Fonseca's style.

Fonseca was announced as the club's new boss in June after Stefano Pioli was sacked in May following a run of one win in eight matches.

Despite their 2021-22 title win being Milan's first since 2010-11, Pioli's time at the club came to an end after they finished 20 points behind title winners Napoli in 2022-23 and 19 behind fierce rivals Inter last term.

As for Fonseca, his job as Rossoneri boss is his 12th managerial role, and his second in Italy after previously coaching Roma from June 2019 until June 2021.

Milan scored 76 goals and conceded 49 times last season, and this made them the division's second best offensive and 11th best defensive side.

Fonseca's side have not won any of their two pre-season friendlies so far, and given they are set to face Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona in their next three matches, the new manager may have to wait a while longer until he gets his first win as boss.

Manchester City friendly form:

L

Manchester City form (all competitions):

AC Milan friendly form:

L

D

AC Milan form (all competitions):

The Manchester City players to have featured in the Euros and Copa America will miss out on Saturday, although Rodri does have an injury to contend with regardless.

Youngsters such as Luke Mbete, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Josh Wilson-Esbrand all started against Celtic and could retain their places in defence.

Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes has frequently been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and it will be interesting to see if Guardiola opts to start Stefan Ortega once again.

As for AC Milan, new signing Alvaro Morata will not feature considering his recent Euros win.

Considering Fonseca's side have already played two pre-season matches, he could be set to name a strengthened XI against Guardiola's team.

Regulars like Fikayo Tomori, Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi all came on at half time in Milan's last match against Rapid Vienna on July 20, and they could be in line to start against City at Yankee Stadium.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ortega; Lewis, Mbete, Simpson-Pusey, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Sportiello; Calabria, Tomori, Jimenez, Florenzi; Bennacer, Pobega; Chukwueze, Liberali, Traore; Colombo

We say: Manchester City 2-3 AC Milan

Although Manchester City have only played one pre-season game, they still managed to score three times against Celtic and should be confident of causing AC Milan's defence problems.

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