Manchester City take on Inter Milan in their first pre-season fixture of the summer in Hong Kong today.
Manchester City return to action this afternoon as they face Serie A giants Inter in Hong Kong. This weekend marks Enzo Maresca’s first match as the Blues’ head coach and supporters will be looking out for signs of what is to come from their new boss.
In his press conference on Friday, Maresca explained that the most important thing from this match was to raise the fitness levels of his players. And with only two weeks until the first competitive fixture of the season in the Community Shield, we can expect City to field a strong starting line-up this afternoon.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will be the Blues’ first choice this season and will start in goal. The back four in front of him will look very different. Matheus Nunes links up with the squad later today, so this game is a chance for Rico Lewis to get some minutes in at right-back. Fresh off their new contracts, Abdukodir Khusanov should start alongside Josko Gvardiol in the centre, with Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back.
Nico Gonzalez was not picked for the World Cup and, in Rodri’s absence, should start in midfield. The 24-year-old will be key for City this season if the Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot winner leaves. Maresca is keen for Rodri to stay, but a succession plan is needed and Gonzalez will hope he can be part of that.
Alongside him could be either Mateo Kovacic or Tijjani Reijnders. Like Gonzalez, Reijnders looks to be at the start of an important season. His debut campaign was mixed and City will expect him to be more consistent this year.
Should Maresca stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, there could be a chance for Ryan McAidoo against Inter. McAidoo was chosen, alongside Phil Foden and Khusanov, to model the club’s new away kit in Hong Kong and this could indicate his standing at the club, heading into the new season.
The 18-year-old made two senior appearances during the 2025/26 campaign. This included scoring in the 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City. Today could be a big test for him.
Maresca has spoken at length about getting Foden back to his old self. Playing down the middle should see Foden dictate the game, when he is at his best.
Up front, City are running low on centre-forwards. Omar Marmoush arrives on tour too late for this game and Erling Haaland remains on his break. Therefore, the Blues could start Antoine Semenyo as the striker. Ahead of another congested season, it could be wise for Maresca to try out an ‘in case of emergency’ tactic. Having another player who can start at centre-forward would be no bad thing.
City’s predicted line-up vs Inter: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders; McAidoo, Foden, Savinho; Semenyo
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