Pep Guardiola has said he did not anticipate Manchester City winning their opening match of the 2024-25 Premier League season because of the lack of training sessions held between his full squad.
Regular starters including Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden began on the bench at Stamford Bridge after returning to training six days ago, Guardiola deciding to prioritise their recoveries after playing international football this summer.
The ultra-reliable Rodri was also not involved as he continues his comeback from an injury sustained while playing for Spain in the Uefa Euro 2024 final, but City still claimed a comfortable 2-0 win through Erling Haaland’s 18th-minute opener and Mateo Kovacic’s strike six minutes from time.
FULL-TIME | An opening day win at Stamford Bridge! 💪
🔵 0-2 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/wxtEoniXkb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 18, 2024
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Man City vs Chelsea: Guardiola ‘honour’
“It’s our ninth season together so we know each other well,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “Of course there are mistakes you have to improve, but we talked.
“The difference in being champions was our body language, how did we behave? It’s the bad moments in the season and in the games that define the big teams.
“For me, it is an honour to be in charge of these guys. I’m so fortunate, I could not say more. I didn’t expect [to win]. We are away from our best, so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us.”
Nicolas Jackson had an equaliser ruled out for Chelsea, who spent £185 million on summer signings under Guardiola’s former assistant at City, Enzo Maresca.
The Italian joined the Blues from promoted Leicester City in June and will have found little to be greatly encouraged by, his players producing two shots on target and falling 2-0 behind when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez could have stopped Kovacic’s shot.
Stunning from Mateo Kovačić! 😍
The Man City man punishes his former club! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Wxfx8aW0Tt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Chelsea vs Man City: ‘Big step’
“There is a plan: defensive, offensive,” said Guardiola. “After that, it’s how we celebrate the good moments and come back from the bad moments.
“That’s what defines these teams and no-one talks about it. For a while we could never win at Stamford Bridge. This is a big step.”
A 4-4 draw last season is the only occasion in the last four when City have failed to win at Chelsea. They are unbeaten overall in the fixture in 10 matches, winning eight of those games.
The Cityzens will be heavy favourites to make it six points from six when they host newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday (3pm).
