adminLONDON. – Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City’s English Premier League soccer rivals that the champions are still well below their peak despite powering to a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield. Guardiola’s team wrapped up their pre-season preparations by sweeping aside Chelsea in the prestigious friendly at Wembley on Sunday.
Sergio Aguero’s early opener and a second-half strike from the Argentina forward – goals that took his career haul for City to 201 – ensured the title favourites picked up where they left off in last season’s record-breaking campaign.
But ominously for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United – all hoping to dethrone City – Guardiola revealed his players are still well short of full fitness after only a handful of training sessions following the Soccer World Cup.
“We are satisfied, but still we are far away from the (best) physical condition. The players are in bad, bad conditions,” Guardiola said.
“We didn’t train a lot this week. We wanted to arrive fresh in this heat.
“It’s complicated for all of them but they are so competitive. It’s not easy to play after such a short time. My hat’s off to them. We have seven days to train this week and hopefully we can increase that level.” – AFP.
Online Reporter