Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised Jack Grealish for being “aggressive” during the Cityzens’ 2-2 draw with Barcelona, adding that the playmaker “has to prove himself” with the new Premier League season looming.
City twice fell behind in the first half, Pau Victor and Pablo Torre scoring for Barca either side of 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly’s goal in Orlando.
Grealish equalised with an emphatic strike in the culmination of a City counter-attack featuring a blistering Mateo Kovacic run before the Spanish giants won a penalty shoot-out courtesy of Ander Astralaga’s saves from Kalvin Phillips and Jacob Wright.
An INCREDIBLE run from @mateokovacic8, finished clinically by @JackGrealish 🔥
Watch live on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
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Man City vs Barcelona: Guardiola ‘pleased’
“I know his control is good but he made four or five shots,” Guardiola told City’s website. “Competition will be high. He has to prove himself and I’m pleased with the way he played. He has to produce.”
City’s US tour has delivered 16 goals in three matches but they are yet to win in pre-season following single-goal defeats to Celtic and Milan.
Guardiola took satisfaction from senior players gaining time on the pitch while again praising the likes of midfielder Oscar Bobb and defender Rico Lewis and suggesting O’Reilly can play as a holding midfielder.
👏 The pass from @JoskoGvardiol4
🤩 The finish by Nico O’ReillyWe’re level. Watch live on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Nico O’Reilly ‘a leader’
“He had a long injury last season and he came back in the middle and trained with us,” Guardiola recalled after the Englishman scored his first senior goal.
“I said ‘wow, this guy has good things’. He’s a good leader, so strong in the duel and in small spaces. In attacking midfield he arrives well, and when holding he can, too.
“We have Kalvin [Phillips] and Kova[cic], who played incredibly well, and Nico. I know he can play. It’s difficult to sustain 90 minutes but he can help us because he’s a player with a lot of quality.”
Super Jack! 🙏
Watch LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/uXzOT66tzE
🔵 2-2 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/SSXBfnxrnN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Man City US tour: ‘Getting better’
The start of the match was delayed by a storm. “It was a really, really good game in terrible conditions,” said Guardiola. “The game was so entertaining with a lot of chances. Kovacic made an incredible effort after one training session. Our physical game is getting better.”
City face Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday (10.30pm BST) before returning to England to meet Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10 (3pm).
Their Premier League season starts at Chelsea on August 18 (4.30pm), with their first home game against Ipswich Town six days later (3pm).
