Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that Sunday’s 5-3 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in a pre-season game was a good test for his treble-winning team from last season as they prepare for the 2023/2024 season.

Pep Guardiola led the Blues to the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup triumphs, and although he has seen some of his players leave this summer, one of the biggest catalysts for the success, Erling Haaland, remains at the Etihad Stadium.

Algerian winger Riyadh Mahrez is close to a move to Saudi Arabia, while Ilkay Gundogan has already joined Barcelona on a free transfer. Sunday’s game saw the Japanese take a two-goal lead early on in the first half, but Julian Alvarez and John Stones equalized before halftime.

After the flurry of substitutions in the second half that saw a Norwegian striker and last season’s top scorer Erling Haaland come in, Manchester City scored three second-half goals as Rodri’s goal was sandwiched in-between Haaland’s brace.

While the Spanish midfielder scored the winning goal for City in the UEFA Champions League final, Haaland was the top scorer in the Premier League breaking records all the way.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola said that the game was good for his team.

“It’s a good test because we don’t have enough preparation; Yokohama played really well on the transitions – it was good for us. Many things we can improve, of course, and no one is injured, which is the most important thing. Now we rest and prepare for Bayern Munich.” Guardiola said 

Manchester City will play Bayern Munich next in their pre-season and another game against Atletico Madrid before their season-opening community shield tie against Arsenal on August six.

Meanwhile, the Gunners themselves lost 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday in their own pre-season game.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu