Today’s friendly against Atletico Madrid is the final push before the real work begins for Manchester City

Manchester City have played two friendlies across their preseason tour of Asia. They were beaten on penalties by Inter Milan in Hong Kong before beating the K-League All-Stars 3-1 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium last Wednesday. Today, Enzo Maresca’s side will take on Atletico Madrid. It is City’s final friendly of their preseason tour of Asia. Following today’s match, the City squad will return to Manchester to begin ramping up their preparations for next weekend’s FA Community Shield clash against Arsenal at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Manchester City will face almost the ideal test against Atletico Madrid ahead of the new season.

Enzo Maresca has implemented a host of tactical tweaks during Manchester City’s first two friendlies against Inter Milan and the K-League All-Stars. The way Maresca utilises his wingers, how City build up in possession and how Maresca’s side press has been subtly different to Pep Guardiola’s side. Facing Inter Milan and the K-League All-Stars has been the ideal setting for Maresca to implement his ideas.

Today’s friendly against Atletico Madrid offers a different challenge for Enzo Maresca’s side. Atletico Madrid are a feisty and quality side. They perfectly embody their manager Diego Simeone. In a way, today’s opponent is the ideal one for Manchester City to face ahead of the 2026-27 season. Atletico Madrid typically set up tactically like so many of City’s opponents. They defend deep and resolutely and look to break with pace. Ahead of match, Enzo Maresca has been preparing his team for the challenge ahead.

Jack Gaughan reported for the Daily Mail that Enzo Maresca spent time drilling his team in playing against a 5-4-1 formation. That is one that Manchester City will have to contend with throughout the 2026-27 season. They may have to face it today against Atletico Madrid. In that sense, today’s friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium is the ideal preparation for Enzo Maresca’s side. They can see what works and what they have to improve against a system they will likely have to face consistently throughout next season.

After today’s match, the cavalry will return to begin life working under Enzo Maresca.

Following today’s match the Manchester City squad will return to Manchester. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders will starting shifting their focus towards next weekend’s FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal. That match will be the first competitive match that City will play under Enzo Maresca. Also, ahead of the FA Community Shield the final group of City players who went deep at the World Cup will begin their preseason training.

Sam Lee has reported for The Athletic that Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, and Elliot Anderson will all begin training next week. Rodri is also due to report back to City, but his status is unknown due to Barcelona’s ongoing attempts to sign him. Next week will see Enzo Maresca finally have the opportunity to work with his full squad. Next weekend’s clash with Arsenal will also signal the beginning of the 2026-27 season for Manchester City.

Today’s friendly against Atletico Madrid will wrap up Manchester City’s preseason tour of Asia. It is the last leg of what has been a fruitful trip to Hong Kong and South Korea for Enzo Maresca’s side. Following today’s match, attention shifts to the FA Community Shield and the first step of the 2026-27 season. So today does feel like the right moment for the City players on tour to put their best foot forward before the pressure begins to ramp up.