Manchester City vs Inter Milan Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | Pre-Season Friendly

Enzo Maresca faces Italian champions Inter in his debut game as Man City gaffer.

Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, gears up to host a club friendly fixture. English giants Manchester City and Italian powerhouse Inter Milan are set for a thrilling contest. It is set to be a highlight of the UCL Finals 2023.

For the first time in over a decade, there will be no Pep Guardiola giving instructions from the Manchester City bench. Former Chelsea gaffer and FIFA Club World Cup-winning coach Enzo Maresca has taken over. He has high expectations to meet from the first day at the Etihad.

City won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup last season. They were one of the close contenders to win the Premier League. They have roped in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, who was one of the standout performers for England in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Italian giants Inter Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, also won the Coppa Italia under Romanian gaffer Cristian Chivu. They are coming off a 2-1 win over Karlsruher SC in the last game. They will be keen to clinch a win over English powerhouse Man City.

They have made some quality signings in the form of John Stones, Ivan Provedel, Stankovic and Manuel Akanji. Inter will leave no stone unturned to compete for top honours in Italy and Europe. They have all it takes to become one of the strongest forces in Europe next season.

Pre-season friendlies bring a relaxed and experimental rhythm where fitness matters more than the final score. The summer enters a phase where tactical drills and rising academy prospects take centre stage over wins. Ahead of the start of the new season, fans can expect a low-pressure game where every manager gets a chance to test their squad.

Kick-off:

• Location: Kowloon City, Hong Kong
• Stadium: Kai Tak Sports Park
• Kick-off time: 12:30 p.m. BST / 5:00 p.m. IST
• Date: Saturday, 1 August
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: Not in use

Form:

Man City (in all competitions): L-D-W-W-W

Inter (in all competitions): W-D-D-W-W

Players to Watch

Phil Foden (Man City)

The Stockport-born attacking midfielder will be leaving no stone unturned to make a difference in the upcoming season. After missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the FIFA World Cup, Foden will be keen to make a comeback to the national team ahead of the Euros at home.

He recently signed a new contract that keeps him at City till 2030, reflecting the club’s trust in Foden. He is a proper number 10. Foden remains one of the most naturally gifted playmakers and wide creators in modern English football.

Nicolo Barella (Inter)

The Italian midfielder made a move from Cagliari to Inter in 2019. He has rendered his services since then. A world-class and hyper-energetic box-to-box midfielder, Barella has been the beating heart of Inter’s midfield.

His link-up play in the centre of the park is exceptional. The undisputed engine of Inter Milan, Barella is regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe. He will look forward to winning those pocket-sized midfield battles against an elite Manchester City side.

Match Facts

• These two sides met twice in the UEFA Champions League
• Inter eye revenge for the UCL Final 2023 defeat against City.
• Rodri of Man City is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.

Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Betting Tips and Odds

• Manchester City to win the game – 19/20 with bet365
• Phil Foden to score – 11/5 with bet365
• Manchester City 2-1 Inter Milan – 17/2 with bet365

Injury and Team News

City will be without the services of Marc Guéhi, Jérémy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly, & Elliot Anderson. They are yet to join the camp after the World Cup. Rodri, Haaland, Grealish, Rúben Dias, Omar Marmoush, & Matheus Nunes will also be absent.

Inter will be without Lautaro Martinez, Tajon Buchanan and Yann Sommer.

Head-to-Head

Total games: 02

Man City won: 01

Inter won: 00

Matches drawn: 01

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK); Rico Lewis, Vitor Reis, Joško Gvardiol, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Nico González, Mateo Kovačić, Tijjani Reijnders; Savinho, Divin Mubamba, Phil Foden

Inter Milan predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Josep Martínez (GK); Yann Aurel Bisseck, Leonardo Bovio, Carlos Augusto; Diouf, Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zieliński, Filip Stanković, Federico Dimarco; Jamal Iddrissou, Sebastiano Esposito

Match Prediction

This is a very difficult fixture to predict. Both teams are missing their key players. We expect Man City to win the game and get the better of Inter to kickstart the Maresca era on a positive note.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Inter Milan

Telecast Details

India: Fancode

Worldwide: City+ (subscription required)

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