Pep focused on surviving opening few games as City build momentum

IT'S fair to say that Pep Guardiola isn't expecting City to be close to their best in the opening weeks of the Premier League season.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Injury problems for Mateo Kovacic and Rodri leave the holding midfield role vulnerable again, while elsewhere in the squad rest has been prioritised over the rhythm of more routine.

Guardiola normally craves the opportunity to work with his players on the training pitch, yet turned down the chance to talk up the last few weeks by instead wondering aloud if the team have played enough friendlies. A behind-closed-doors game against Preston and Saturday's trip to Palermo is considerably less than other teams.

Of course there was the Club World Cup earlier in the summer, although Guardiola spoke of that with a regret that they had not gone further.