Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised Jack Grealish for being “aggressive” during the Cityzens’ 2-2 draw with Barcelona, adding that the player “must prove himself” in the new Premier League season ahead.
City fell behind twice in the first half, with Pau Victor and Pablo Torre scoring for Barca or any team between 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly’s goals in Orlando.
Grealish equalized with a powerful strike at the end of a City attack that matched Mateo Kovacic’s run before the Spanish giants won through Ander Astralaga’s penalties from Kalvin Phillips and Jacob Wright.
INCREDIBLE run from @mateokovacic8completed at the clinic by @JackGrelish 🔥
Watch live on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Man City vs Barcelona: Guardiola ‘delighted’
“I know his control is good but he made four or five shots,” said Guardiola on City’s website. “The competition will be high. He has to prove himself and I’m happy with the way he played. He must produce.”
City’s trip to the United States has seen them score 16 goals in three games but they are winless in pre-season following one-goal defeats by Celtic and Milan.
Guardiola found satisfaction in senior players getting time on the pitch while also praising the likes of midfielder Oscar Bobb and defender Rico Lewis and suggested O’Reilly could play as a substitute midfielder.
👏 Pass that appears @JoskoGvardiol4
🤩 The end of Nico O’ReillyWe are on a level. Watch live on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Nico O’Reilly ‘the leader’
“He had a long injury last season and he came back in the middle and trained with us,” recalled Guardiola after the Englishman scored his first senior goal.
“I said ‘wow, this guy has some good stuff’. He is a good leader, very strong in duel and small spaces. In the belly of the attack he comes well, and when he catches it he knows it, too.
“We have Kalvin [Phillips] and Kova[cic], who played incredibly well, and Nico. I know you can play. It is difficult to keep 90 minutes but he can help us because he is a player of high quality.”
Super Jack! 🙏
Watch LIVE ➡️
🔵 2-2 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/SSXBfnxrnN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Man City’s US tour: ‘Getting better’
The start of the game was delayed by the storm. “It was a really good game in very bad conditions,” said Guardiola. “The game was very exciting with many chances. Kovacic made a remarkable effort after just one training session. Our physical game is getting better.”
City face Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday (10.30pm BST) before returning to England to face Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10 (3pm).
Their Premier League season begins at Chelsea on August 18 (4.30pm), with their first home game against Ipswich Town six days later (3pm).
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