LONDON: Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City’s attitude in starting their mission to defend the Premier League title by beating Chelsea 2-0 even without perfect pre-season training.
Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic goals handed Enzo Maresca his first defeat as Blues boss.
City started the game without their four Euro 2024 finalists – Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden – as Guardiola wanted to give them a longer break after the match.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji played for 90 minutes despite returning late for training after progressing to the Euro knockout stages.
But the reigning champions were still able to dominate play against an opponent they failed to overcome in last season’s league campaign.
“I didn’t expect it. I know what these players are capable of, but the first day and lack of practice.
“We only had two or three days to prepare, but we overcame it with our commitment.
“You can’t imagine how lucky I am to be able to experience this situation with a group of great players,” said Guardiola.
Maresca also faces the difficult task of building a team from a squad that has 43 players and more than 50 on the list including those on loan.
This included the decision to drop Raheem Sterling which was criticized by the player’s camp. Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku are also not on Chelsea’s squad list.
None of Chelsea’s nine new players are in Maresca’s starting line-up.
It was even more surprising that Enzo Fernandez was given the captaincy after the player was involved in controversy on social media following Argentina’s victory in the Copa America last month.
Haaland, who was not involved in the Euros, needed just 18 minutes to open the scoring after a move by Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva.
Kovacic sealed the win with a solo move that split Chelsea’s fortress before turning the ball past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.