Manchester City could add more games to pre-season schedule after Palermo match confirmed | OneFootball

Bosses at Manchester City could yet add further depth to their pre-season plans after confirming a meeting with Palermo in Italy in early August.

Pre-season for City has never been solely about fitness. Under Pep Guardiola, the focus has consistently been on rhythm, tactical cohesion, and gradually easing key players back into intensity.

Unlike many top clubs that book commercial tours and cram in multiple friendlies, City have preferred a more measured approach — often prioritising training sessions over a long list of exhibition fixtures, especially in summer tournament years.

In 2023 (Japan and South Korea) and 2024 (United States), the club’s approach reflected that philosophy. While they travelled globally for friendlies, the actual number of matches remained limited.

Manager Guardiola has publicly expressed his reluctance to overload the calendar, particularly with a squad regularly featuring players who go deep into international tournaments. That caution looks set to continue this summer.

The first fixture announced is a high-profile clash in Italy, with Palermo — part of the wider City Football Group network — set to host Manchester City in what will be a showcase moment for the group as a whole.

Now writing as part of a wider piece into Premier League clubs’ pre-season plans, The Athletic’s Sam Lee said of Manchester City’s schedule, “At least one more is likely to follow, although [Pep] Guardiola does not like playing too many friendlies.”

While this comment no doubt leaves the door open for further additions to Manchester City’s pre-season schedule, fans should not expect a packed fixture list, with Guardiola keen to manage workloads carefully.

A few friendlies, ideally spaced out and geographically convenient for Manchester City, are likely to be the preferred approach with just a matter of days separating the meeting with Palermo and the start of the new Premier League season.

If another game is confirmed, it could take place either shortly before the Palermo trip or upon the squad’s return to the UK, with City having previously arranged behind-closed-doors games at the City Football Academy against regional opposition to fine-tune sharpness.

Either way, the message from inside the club remains consistent: quality over quantity. With Pep Guardiola heading into a crucial season at Manchester City off the back of the last campaign’s disappointment, every detail of preparation will matter — and fans can expect the upcoming fixtures to reflect the calculated, high-standard philosophy that’s delivered so much success over the years.