Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that he is unsure if his side will be ready for the Premier League opener next weekend despite winning the 2024 Community Shield.
The Premier League champions defeated rivals Manchester United 7-6 via penalty shootout after the regulation time ended 1-1 at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Guardiola’s men will travel to Stamford Bridge next Sunday to take on Chelsea in their first match of the season as they aim to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
The former Bayern Munich coach said he is not sure if his team will be ready for the Chelsea game following their mixed performance against Manchester United.
He said: “I cannot answer if we are ready,we could have lost against Manchester United, we were close to losing with minutes left so that’s why you have to wait. I saw many things today that I like. The first 35 minutes were beyond excellent, unexpected for the time we are together.
“We are far from our best. It’s normal but it’s better starting with one trophy won.
“It’s nicer but the reality is nothing has changed for the fact we won.”
Manchester City needed a late equaliser from Bernardo Silva to take the match into penalties before getting the better of Manchester United.
Guardiola heaped praises on Manchester City’s young stars, Oscar Bobb, who impressed in the encounter.
He said, “We want more, the actions in the final third he has to do more regularly. Sometimes he has the chance to take the ball and go and he is a little bit passive, but he has something unique. From a stop, the first steps right and left are unbelievable.
“The action for the goal, he is behind the ball and how he turned and made the cross is a huge quality. He has an incredible work ethic, his intensity in pressing and reading to defend is really good, but he’s still young. Still, he has the ability to do it. He has to do it more regularly.”
Man City Not Ready For Premier League Opener Despite Winning Community Shield – Guardiola is first published on The Whistler Newspaper