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A new era gets underway for Manchester City on Saturday afternoon as Enzo Maresca takes charge for the first time by opening his reign with a pre-season meeting against Serie A champions Inter.
The Blues begin their pre-season tour of Asia in Hong Kong before continuing with fixtures against K-League All-Stars and Atlético Madrid as preparations for the 2026/27 campaign gather pace.
With several senior figures no longer at the club following the departures of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Nathan Ake, while others return after representing their countries at the FIFA World Cup, Saturday’s encounter offers a valuable opportunity for several players to make an early impression under Enzo Maresca.
Although the result will carry little significance, the contest is set to provide the first indication of Maresca’s tactical approach, while several younger players will be hoping to capitalise on the opportunity to impress during the opening stages of pre-season.
Ahead of the opening fixture of Manchester City’s summer schedule, here is everything you need to know!
Match Details
Manchester City vs Inter is set to kick off at 12:30 (UK) on Saturday 1 August at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
Team News
Enzo Maresca has named a 28-man travelling squad for Manchester City’s pre-season tour with several players missing out either through injury, or due to extended involvement at the FIFA World Cup.
The travelling squad is as follows: Donnarumma, Bettinelli, Chabot (international trialist), Wint; Lewis, Henderson-Hall, Alleyne, Khusanov, Reis, Mfuni, Gvardiol, Braithwaite, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Kovacic, Reijnders, Parker, Samba, Heskey, Mukasa, McAidoo, Echeverri, Foden; Semenyo, Savinho, Sangare, Mubama, Monga.
Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, and Elliot Anderson have all been granted an extended period of rest following their involvement in their respective side’s World Cup campaigns.
Newly-crowned world champion Rodri has undergone successful minor back surgery and is set to miss out on the beginning of this year’s campagin. Jack Grealish also misses out as he continues recovery from his surgery on a stress fracture in his foot sustained in January.
Kalvin Phillips is on the verge of another loan to Sheffield United over the coming days. James Trafford is set to complete a £40 million move to Leeds United and will not travel, although officially remains on a break after the World Cup at the time of the team jetting out to Asia.
Head to Head
The Blues have faced Inter competitively on two occasions, both within the last three years, most recently in the 2024/25 Champions League league phase where they played out a 0-0 draw.
Every Manchester City fan will remember their first meeting – the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. On that occasion, Manchester City claimed the ultimate prize, courtesy of Rodri’s 68th minute finish to complete the infamous treble.
Outside of competitive matches, the two clubs have faced off against each other twice more. In 2011, City claimed the Dublin Super Cup after a 3-0 win and goals from Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, and Adam Johnson. Prior to that, the two sides faced off in Baltimore in 2010, with Inter Milan winning 3-0.
Press Conference Quotes
Enzo Maresca and a Manchester City player are due to face the media from Hong Kong from 11:30 (UK) on Friday morning.
How To Watch
Viewers in the United Kingdom and around the world will be able to watch the game live via Manchester City’s official subscription-only streaming channel, CITY+.
For viewers in Italy coverage will be available on DAZN, CITY+ is also available for viewers around the world.
You can find full global TV listings for the pre-season friendly HERE!
City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout matchday, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk!
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Source: Cityxtra.co.uk
