CITY started last season with six straight Premier League wins but you get the sense Pep Guardiola is not necessarily expecting a repeat this time around.
City have made a habit in recent years of peaking at the right time and becoming a force to be reckoned with down the final stretch. But they also know the importance of a good start.
Over their opening half dozen matches across the last four seasons, City have tasted defeat just twice. They’re not formidable early doors but they’re powerful.
Except this term that power could be diluted by workload and potential player absences.
City will definitely be without Julian Alvarez for the beginning of the season with the forward on Olympic duty with Argentina.
And the Blues had John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Rodri involved in the European Championship final, affording that quartet just 27 days between the showpiece and the Community Shield next weekend.
Denne historien er fra August 03, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
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Denne historien er fra August 03, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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