Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola has praised Jack Grealish for being “aggressive” in the course of the Cityzens’ 2-2 draw with Barcelona, including that the playmaker “has to show himself” with the brand new Premier League season looming.
Metropolis twice fell behind within the first half, Pau Victor and Pablo Torre scoring for Barca both facet of 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly’s aim in Orlando.
Grealish equalised with an emphatic strike within the end result of a Metropolis counter-attack that includes a blistering Mateo Kovacic run earlier than the Spanish giants received a penalty shoot-out courtesy of Ander Astralaga’s saves from Kalvin Phillips and Jacob Wright.
An INCREDIBLE run from @mateokovacic8, completed clinically by @JackGrealish 🔥
Watch stay on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Man Metropolis vs Barcelona: Guardiola ‘happy’
“I do know his management is nice however he made 4 or 5 photographs,” Guardiola informed Metropolis’s web site. “Competitors shall be excessive. He has to show himself and I’m happy with the way in which he performed. He has to provide.”
Metropolis’s US tour has delivered 16 objectives in three matches however they’re but to win in pre-season following single-goal defeats to Celtic and Milan.
Guardiola took satisfaction from senior gamers gaining time on the pitch whereas once more praising the likes of midfielder Oscar Bobb and defender Rico Lewis and suggesting O’Reilly can play as a holding midfielder.
👏 The move from @JoskoGvardiol4
🤩 The end by Nico O’ReillyWe’re degree. Watch stay on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Nico O’Reilly ‘a pacesetter’
“He had an extended damage final season and he got here again within the center and skilled with us,” Guardiola recalled after the Englishman scored his first senior aim.
“I mentioned ‘wow, this man has good issues’. He’s a great chief, so sturdy within the duel and in small areas. In attacking midfield he arrives properly, and when holding he can, too.
“We’ve got Kalvin [Phillips] and Kova[cic], who performed extremely properly, and Nico. I do know he can play. It’s troublesome to maintain 90 minutes however he will help us as a result of he’s a participant with loads of high quality.”
Tremendous Jack! 🙏
Watch LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/uXzOT66tzE
🔵 2-2 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/SSXBfnxrnN
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Man Metropolis US tour: ‘Getting higher’
The beginning of the match was delayed by a storm. “It was a very, actually good recreation in horrible circumstances,” mentioned Guardiola. “The sport was so entertaining with loads of probabilities. Kovacic made an unimaginable effort after one coaching session. Our bodily recreation is getting higher.”
Metropolis face Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday (10.30pm BST) earlier than returning to England to fulfill Manchester United within the Group Protect on August 10 (3pm).
Their Premier League season begins at Chelsea on August 18 (4.30pm), with their first dwelling recreation in opposition to Ipswich City six days later (3pm).
