Pep Guardiola explains Manchester City’s unconventional training regime for Borussia Dortmund | OneFootball

Manchester City are set to train in the morning of the day of their UEFA Champions League group-phase game against Borussia Dortmund.

City turn their attention to Europe after returning to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday as a first-half brace from Erling Haaland and winner from Nico O’Reilly helped Guardiola’s men record a 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

The Blues are in second place in the Premier League table as they look to keep up the pressure on league leaders and title favourites Arsenal in the backdrop of a momentous summer transfer window that witnessed significant changes in the Manchester City dressing room.

Hugo Viana replaced Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City’s sporting director earlier this year and in his first summer at the Etihad Stadium, the Portuguese signed off on a series of notable exits as the Blues recruited heavily after their most challenging season under Guardiola.

Seven new signings and a new-look Manchester City side are being put to the test as the season progresses as Guardiola and co look to mount a genuine challenge for the Premier League title after finishing trophyless last term.

City have made a strong start to their European campaign with two wins and a draw in their opening three trio of UEFA Champions League games, Guardiola’s men are in fifth place in the group-phase table ahead of this week’s games.

After their two month unbeaten run – spanning nine games in all competitions – came to an end last week against Aston Villa – City have quickly returned to winning ways with victories over Swansea City and Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup and Premier League in the last week.

Manchester City and Guardiola are embarking upon their most pivotal set of games of the season as Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool visit the Etihad Stadium in the next five days before the November international break.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash, Guardiola was asked how his side are approaching preparations to face Dortmund after seeing off high-flying Bournemouth at the weekend.

Having given his squad a day off on Tuesday, Guardiola revealed that Manchester City are set to train on Wednesday morning – 12 hours before the 20:00 UK kick-off at the Etihad Stadium – an unconventional method to approach a game.

“We will train tomorrow morning,” Guardiola said. “I’ve done it a few times. Not a lot, but a few times. Sometimes I prefer it; don’t see each other. It was such a demanding game against Bournemouth and I prefer to stay at home and tomorrow morning we train.

“In Germany, France, all the people in the UEFA Champions League try to play on Friday to have more (days rest) and here is completely the opposite. If I don’t like, I wouldn’t train in England, I’d go to Germany, France – just in case they want me.”

Manchester City can take a major step towards qualification for the UEFA Champions League play-offs with three points over Dortmund, which can maintain their momentum ahead of a monumental Premier League clash with Liverpool at the weekend.