Club Friendlies
24 July, 2024
MATCH TIMES
India
05:00 AM
UAE
03:30 AM
Saudi Arabia
02:30 AM
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FULL TIME
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Man City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Doyle, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland
Match Preview
Celtic possible starting lineup: Bain; Donovan, Welsh, Scales, Anderson; Hatate, Iwaka, O'Riley; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Palma
Match Preview
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City begins their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Celtic on Wednesday at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina. This match could mark the start of Guardiola's final pre-season with City amid growing speculation about his future beyond the upcoming season. Guardiola has added another Premier League title to his impressive collection, along with a Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
However, repeating the treble success of 2023 proved elusive, with City's Champions League run ending against Real Madrid and a loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Despite these setbacks, Guardiola's side is aiming for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title. City's USA tour includes matches against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea before they face Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10.
Meanwhile, Celtic, under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers, who returned to the club after a stint at Leicester City, has also been enjoying a successful period. Rodgers guided Celtic to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double, reinforcing their dominance in Scottish football.
However, their Champions League campaign was disappointing, finishing bottom of their group. Celtic's pre-season preparations have been promising, starting with a draw against Ayr United, a thrilling 10-goal match against Queen's Park, and a commanding 4-0 victory over DC United, with Matt O'Riley scoring twice. After their clash with Manchester City, Celtic will conclude their pre-season with a match against Chelsea on July 27 in Indiana.
For Guardiola, this season carries additional significance as reports suggest he could be a candidate to replace Gareth Southgate as England's head coach after 2025. This potential move adds intrigue to his future with Manchester City. As City looks to maintain their domestic dominance, this pre-season will be crucial in fine-tuning their squad and building momentum for the challenges ahead.
Celtic, on the other hand, will aim to use these high-profile friendlies to better prepare for their domestic campaign and improve their performance in European competitions. The friendly against Manchester City will provide both teams with valuable experience and insights as they gear up for the new season.