Pre-season matches: What we learned from the midweek action
The Premier League season may be a few weeks away, but the clubs are already in full swing with their pre-season preparations. With the transfer window still open and new signings arriving, these early matches are crucial for managers to assess their squads and experiment with tactics. This week saw a flurry of action, including some exciting encounters and a few intriguing observations. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the midweek fixtures.
- Manchester City showcased their strong academy system in a youthful display against Celtic, with several academy graduates making their senior debuts.
- Despite a 3-4 defeat, City manager Pep Guardiola found positives in his team’s performance, especially praising the efforts of young players like Oscar and Rico Lewis.
- The match raised questions about the future of experienced goalkeeper Ederson at City, with reports suggesting he could be on his way out of the club this summer.
- Pre-season matches serve as crucial opportunities for managers to assess their squads, experiment with tactics, and give young players a chance to shine on the big stage.
- These early fixtures provide valuable insights into team dynamics, player development, and potential areas for improvement before the start of the Premier League season.
Man City’s Youthful Display Against Celtic
Manchester City, the reigning champions, kicked off their US tour with a thrilling 3-4 defeat to Celtic at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina. Erling Haaland, the 2023/24 Golden Boot winner, was on target for City, but it was Celtic who secured a late victory thanks to a stunning strike from Oscar Bobb. City also saw goals from Maximo Perrone, but despite the loss, City manager Pep Guardiola saw a lot of positives in his side’s performance.
With many of his senior players still recovering from their participation in UEFA EURO 2024, Guardiola gave a significant opportunity to City’s academy graduates. Jadel Katongo, Joel Ndala, Nico O’Reilly, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey all made their senior debuts for the club, showcasing their talent on the big stage. This youthful display highlights City’s strong academy system and Guardiola’s willingness to give young players a chance.
The game also raised questions about the future of City’s experienced goalkeeper, Ederson. He came on as a second-half substitute for Stefan Ortega, and reports suggest he could be on his way out of the club this summer. It remains to be seen whether Ederson will remain at City or move on to a new challenge, but his presence on the bench in the US is certainly a talking point.
Guardiola, in his post-match comments, praised the efforts of his young players. He particularly highlighted the performances of Oscar and Rico Lewis, emphasizing their consistent high level of play. This suggests that City’s academy stars are pushing for regular first-team opportunities, and it’ll be interesting to see how they perform as the season progresses.
City’s next pre-season outing will see them face AC Milan at Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday, July 27th. This match will provide valuable insights into the team’s progress and tactical approach as they prepare for the new season.
Nott’m Forest’s Unbeaten Start
Nottingham Forest continued their unbeaten pre-season run with a 2-1 victory over Millwall. Goals from Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi sealed the win for Forest, who are looking to build on their strong performance in the Premier League last season.
However, there was a slight cause for concern for manager Nuno Espirito Santo. New signing Elliot Anderson sustained a knock in the first half and was forced off the pitch. Nuno will be hoping that the injury is not serious and that Anderson can quickly return to fitness. The presence of the summer signing will be important for Forest’s attacking options as they embark on the new season.
Despite the injury concern, Nuno was delighted with the performance of his squad. He gave all 22 players available match minutes, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to impress. This spread of playing time allows Nuno to evaluate the different strengths and weaknesses of his squad, offering valuable insights into the best combination for the upcoming season.
Forest next face Spanish side Elche on Friday, July 26th in Murcia. This match will provide another test for Forest as they continue to fine-tune their squad and tactics ahead of the Premier League opener.
Leicester City’s Winning Streak
Leicester City continued their winning start to pre-season, securing a second consecutive 2-1 victory against Shrewsbury. Stephy Mavididi‘s deflected free-kick and a chip from Kasey McAteer put Leicester in control, although they were made to work hard for the win after an own goal from debutant Caleb Okoli.
Despite the own goal, Okoli showed a positive response to the mistake. The new centre-back, who arrived from Atalanta, also made an impressive block and demonstrated strong positional awareness after coming on as a second-half substitute. This highlights the young defender’s potential and suggests he could be a valuable addition to Leicester’s squad.
Leicester manager Steve Cooper was happy with his team’s performance, particularly their attacking play. He emphasized that winning is a good habit to have, and the team’s recent victories are a positive sign as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Leicester will next host Italian side Palermo at Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium on Friday, July 26th. This match will provide another valuable opportunity for Cooper to assess his squad and experiment with different formations and tactics before the start of the Premier League season.
Southampton’s Goal-Scoring Prowess
Southampton continued their pre-season winning run with a 3-2 victory over Bordeaux in Girona. Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Sekou Mara (scoring against his former club), and an own goal secured Southampton’s second consecutive pre-season win.
Southampton’s goal-scoring prowess was evident in this match, with the Saints registering 10 goals in their two pre-season games. This highlights the attacking potential of the squad, especially with the presence of young and exciting players like Mara. Southampton will be aiming to use this impressive attacking form to their advantage during the regular season.
Mateusz Lis, the Polish goalkeeper, played the full 90 minutes for Southampton, showcasing his ability and making a strong case for a regular place in the team. With the impressive performances of Lis and the other players throughout pre-season, Southampton manager Russell Martin will be confident about his squad’s preparedness for the new season.
Southampton’s next match will be a behind-closed-doors encounter against Montpellier on Saturday, July 27th. This will provide another chance for Martin to assess his squad and fine-tune his tactics before the Premier League curtain raiser.
Brighton’s Impressive Debut Under New Management
Brighton’s new manager, Fabian Hurzeler, got off to a winning start in his first match in charge. Brighton defeated Kashima Antlers 5-1 in Japan, with debutant Amario Cozier-Duberry scoring twice. Yankuba Minteh (also making his first appearance), Jeremy Sarmiento, and Yasin Ayari were also on the scoresheet for Brighton.
The performance was a promising start for Hurzeler’s reign, showcasing the attacking potential of his squad. The impressive display of new signings like Minteh and Cozier-Duberry suggests that Brighton is not afraid to invest in young talent. This approach, combined with the continued presence of key players like Kaoru Mitoma, indicates that Brighton are aiming to build on their success from last season and compete for a top-half finish in the Premier League.
Hurzeler was pleased with his team’s performance, although he admitted that there is room for improvement. He highlighted the team’s togetherness and counter-pressing abilities, which are crucial elements for a successful team.
Brighton’s next pre-season match will see them face Tokyo Verdy at the National Stadium in Japan on Sunday, July 28th. This match will provide another opportunity for Hurzeler to assess his squad and experiment with his tactics before the start of the Premier League season.
Overall, the midweek pre-season fixtures provided valuable insights into the preparations of several Premier League clubs. From youthful displays to impressive goal-scoring feats and new signings showcasing their abilities, these matches have given fans a glimpse into what they can expect from their teams in the upcoming season. With the Premier League season fast approaching, these pre-season games offer valuable insights into how the teams are shaping up and what we can expect from them in the coming months.
