Match Preview: Manchester City vs Club América (Pre-Season Friendly)

Manchester City kick-off their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Liga MX side, Club América in Houston, Texas.

It only feels like yesterday that Fernandinho was lifting the Premier League trophy high into the Manchester sky, but the new season is already almost upon us.

A new-look City side have travelled stateside for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic and will look to build vital fitness in two friendly matches.

After Thursday's clash with Club América, the Blues will face Bayern Munich in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Pep Guardiola has constantly maintained that refreshing the first-team squad keeps the hunger to win trophies a constant, so even after back-to-back Premier League titles, the Catalan has not stalled in the summer transfer market.

The £51 million arrival of Erling Haaland is the standout signature and some recent images of the Norwegian in training has certainly got Blues supporters very excited.

Argentine international Julian Alvarez has also travelling with the squad after his January move from River Plate, as has the midfield acquisition of Kalvin Phillips.

However, City are without a number of first-team stars in the US for a multitude of reasons.

Ilkay Gundogan is not allowed to enter the country due to Covid vaccination complications. The German has had one jab, but contracting the virus in June has prevented him from getting the second jab in time to travel.

Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte is still recovering from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season and has remained in Manchester.

John Stones and Phil Foden are also absent, but reasons for this particular pair are still unknown.

As the season ticks ever closer, Pep Guardiola will likely provide more information in his pre-match press conference, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola will face the media on Tuesday (Sipa US / Alamy)

When?

The game will kick-off at 1:30am (UK) on Thursday, July 21st.

Where?

In the first-leg of Manchester City's pre-season tour, they will play at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

How can I watch?

The game will be broadcast exclusively to City+ subscribers, except the US and Mexico.