Manchester City Community Shield Preview

Here we sit in the balmy days of Summer faced with the prospect of another trip to Wembley Stadium where Manchester City face Liverpool in the Community Shield on Sunday 4 August.

It seems somewhat churlish that the new football season is already lurking just around the corner for Manchester City. There have been precious few minutes in which to enjoy our superb season, yet this strange Community Shield competition is upon us, forcing our recent exploits to fade from the memory.

At the outset it is worth reminding ourselves we are in this competition on merit – unlike our opponents who appear on the basis of being runners up. In previous seasons when this traditional curtain raiser had a similar issue arising through one team completing a domestic trophy double – an FA all stars team was convened as opposition.

Sadly those days are gone and we are forced to suffer another match against everyone’s least favourite opposition – Liverpool. In recent years, contrary to what those red based media stalwarts would have us believe – there is no growing rivalry. The failure of Liverpool to mount a convincing run in the League has left them adrift of being fit to be labelled as rivals.

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Instead we have an increasingly acrimonious relationship, in large part due to the behaviour of the Liverpool supporters. From their gleeful threatening behaviour and vandalism of the Manchester City team coach in the Champions League Quarter Final to their insufferability on social media. Liverpool fans are the one group which seems to unite all other football fans who rail against their deluded entitlement.

Putting aside the vitriol, there is a football match to be played. In all likelihood though this will not be played at the level of intensity we are accustomed to. Both squads are returning from the exertions of pre season without key players. Fitness and patterns may be the best outcome.

I hope we can avoid suffering crunching tackles which could derail our season. That is the best outcome from our day at Wembley.

City may choose the opportunity to try some new approaches – or will Guardiola save these for our first real game in the League? I expect to see some experimental 3 at the back, with wing backs and for Rodri to be playing ahead of De Bruyne in our new look midfield.

Yet, Pep may choose to keep his powder dry at this time and so I am predicting we will start at least with a notional 4-3-3 formation.

Bravo will start in goal and have the chance to show us what we have largely not seen since his arrival. Fullbacks will most likely be Zinchenko and Walker, given Danilo appears to be in Italy and Mendy is still recovering from his latest injury set back.

The central defence is looking a little thin so barring injury will most likely be Stones and Laporte with Otamendi assuming his role on the bench.

In midfield we are likely to see a combination of Rodri, Silva and De Bruyne in what I expect will be our trusted combination in the early part of the season. Just in front the absence of players like Aguero and Mahrez will be keenly felt.

Sterling will be a central striker, assuming a false number 9 role accompanied on the wings by Sane and Bernardo. This could well be Sane’s swansong at City so hopefully we will get to see him fully invested rather than the ambling pedestrian Leroy who seemed to strut around for so much of the last campaign.

The bench will see a number of our recently returning players and some of our youth team vying for minutes.

If we are able to start the new season with our first piece of silverware then we will all be happy. Should the unthinkable happen and City lose then it is worth remembering this is not a proper competition anyway and akin to the Audi Cup. Come on City!

Predicted Starting XI

Bravo

Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko

Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne

Bernardo, Sterling, Sane