Man City vs Atletico Madrid - Pre-season friendly: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction | OneFootball

Manchester City conclude their pre-season preparations on their tour of Asia with a friendly against La Liga side Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

This is the last warm-up match for Pep Guardiola's European Treble winners before the traditional curtain-raiser of the new campaign against Arsenal in the Community Shield. Atletico, by comparison, have only played one friendly during this off-season, suffering a surprise defeat to a K-League XI on Thursday.

As both Champions League regulars tune up for the forthcoming campaign, here's everything you need to know about this prestige friendly.

Where are Man City vs Atletico Madrid playing?

How to watch Man City vs Atletico Madrid on TV and live stream

Man City team news

Nathan Ake was rewarded for a stellar 2022/23 season with a contract extension on Saturday but hobbled off in the first half-hour of City's 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich earlier in the week.

However, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Ake's premature departure was purely precautionary given the defender's long-standing history of injury.

To clear up any concerns that may have been lingering over any other players in his squad, Guardiola revealed: "The group is good, no injuries."

Atletico Madrid team news

Diego Simeone led his side to Asia without two key defenders. Jose Maria Gimenez will be out for as long as a month with a muscular issue while Nahuel Molina faces a race against time to overcome his own fitness concerns before the club's La Liga opener on Monday 14 August.

Fellow fullback Reinildo is still in the midst of a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury he suffered last season.

Midfielder Marcos Llorente (muscle) and forward Memphis Depay (calf) are part of the touring party but are injury doubts.

El Cholo used two entirely different XIs for the club's first pre-season friendly on Thursday. Former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta made his unofficial debut for his new side after leaving the Blues for free this summer.

Man City vs Atletico Madrid score prediction

City have made an imperious habit of peaking at just the right time in most of Guardiola's seasons at the club. Yet, for every commanding conclusion, there is a (relatively) shaky start. The Catalan coach was keen to stress that his side "are a way from our best conditions to be in top, top form".

However, Atletico Madrid are even further behind in their preparations - as demonstrated by a stunning collapse against a K-League XI. Carlos Martin gave Atletico a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute only for Simeone's side to somehow concede twice before the final whistle.

The reigning Champions League holders should pose an even greater threat than a combination of players from the Korean top flight shoehorned into an unfamiliar starting XI.

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