Overview
Man City started the preparation process for the 2026-2027 season with a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in early August, before losing 1-3 in a penalty shootout.
The Manchester team then had their first victory under new head coach Enzo Maresca when they defeated K-League All-Stars 3-1 in the most recent match.
Man City will close the pre-season preparation process with a confrontation with Atletico Madrid, before focusing on the English Super Cup match with Arsenal on August 16.
Maresca's team will start the 2026-2027 Premier League campaign with a home match against Bournemouth on August 23. Before the summer transfer window closes, Man City is predicted to continue to have many personnel changes both in the coming and going directions.
The Citizens have made four signings this summer, the most notable of which is Elliot Anderson, who joined from Nottingham Forest with a very high transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid entered the match after a 1-2 defeat to Man United in the Snapdragon Cup last weekend. The team that has been 20 times English champion has come back to win thanks to a double by Bryan Mbeumo.
Before entering the La Liga 2026-2027 campaign with the match against Malaga at home on August 19, Atletico will successively face Man City and Marseille.
The red and white team has made three notable signings this summer, including Lee Kang-in, Morten Hjulmand and Alejandro Grimaldo.
Atletico also kept Julian Alvarez in the face of strong interest from Barcelona. The Argentine striker seems to continue to stick with the capital team for at least another season.
Simeone certainly wants his players to perform better this weekend, because Atletico has played below par for most of the match against Man United.
Personnel situation
Man City still does not have the service of Erling Haaland, as the Norwegian striker has not returned to join the team after participating in the 2026 World Cup.
Rayan Cherki, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly are also notable names absent from Maresca's squad. Meanwhile, Rodri has just undergone a minor surgery on his back and seems to be approaching a transfer to Barcelona.
Omar Marmoush came on as a substitute in the match against K-League All-Stars and may be given the opportunity to start this time. Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Savinho and Ruben Dias are also likely to be in Man City's starting lineup.
On Atletico's side, Julian Alvarez continues to be absent after participating in the 2026 World Cup final. Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone, Alex Baena, Grimaldo and Alexander Sorloth have also not returned to the squad.
Lee Kang-in has been registered and is likely to make his debut for Atletico in the match against Man City.
Newcomer Morten Hjulmand is also expected to start, while Koke, Robin Le Normand and Ademola Lookman are likely to be present from the start.
Expected lineup:
Man City: Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Reijnders, Kovacic, Semenyo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Sola, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko, Cardoso, Koke, Hjulmand, Lee Kang-in, Martin, Lookman.
The match between Man City - Atletico Madrid takes place at 6:00 PM on August 9 (Vietnam time).
