Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Inter (Pre-Season Friendly) | OneFootball

Manchester City begin their pre-season campaign against Inter Milan in Hong Kong this weekend as Enzo Maresca takes charge of his first game as Blues manager.

For the first time in two months – and since Pep Guardiola’s farewell -, the boys in blue are back once again. The match against Italian side Inter will be the first of three matches to be played during the club’s tour in Asia, as they also take on K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid.

As for this game, Maresca can choose from a range of 28 players, including a number of first team athletes and academy graduates. Check out the full initial traveling squad below.

While in Hong Kong, the club has revealed its new away kit for the 2026-27 season – a tribute to the worker bee, the mascot of the city of Manchester. A special and unique font, set to appear already against Inter, is also to be unveiled for this pre-season tour.

Considering this is a friendly, a mixed squad could be starting the first 45 minutes and a second group of players may replace them at the interval.

Here’s how we think the Blues will line up for the re-edition of the 2023 UEFA Champions League final – the first chapter of the Maresca Era.

Predicted XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma stayed out of the World Cup, as Italy failed to qualify for the tournament. The goalkeeper should be ready to play his first minutes and earn match fitness for the 2026/27 campaign.

At right-back, Rico Lewis might be under a trial for a new manager. The player comes from arguably a poor season and every minute on the pitch could define his future in sky blue.

Coming back from his loan at Girona, Vitor Reis might have a chance of securing his spot at the squad, especially when given a shot against a strong opposition.

Stephen Mfuni, who has returned from a loan spell at Watford, may start this match in order to testify his defensive solidity. 

With a brand-new contract in hands, Josko Gvardiol could return to the left-back position, where he haunted Enzo Maresca in a Premier League clash against Chelsea, in January 2025.

After missing out on a lot of football in the final moments of the past season, Nico González is now going through a moment that may define his next steps in Manchester, especially when the market brings new signings and rumors of more additions for his role.

Another player with a fresh deal is Phil Foden, who may show the new boss from the beginning that he can be the 2023-24 version of himself one more time.

Tijjani Reijnders has to show why Manchester City signed him from AC Milan last summer, and a positive outcome against his former club’s biggest rivals may be the motivation he needs in order to shine.

Ryan McAidoo is a gem in the making on the right wing, and he could have a breakout season if he gains a boost in his morale from the very first moments.

Up front, Divin Mubama might grab a start, since both first team goalscorers, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, are still on holiday.

A prospect who also spent the last season at Girona, Claudio Echeverri seems to be impressing during training, which may give him a place in the first XI.

Starting XI: Donnarumma; Lewis, Reis, Mfuni, Gvardiol; González, Reijnders, Echeverri; Foden, McAidoo, Mubama

Substitutes: Bettinelli, Chabot, Wint; Henderson-Hall, Alleyne, Khusanov, Braithwaite, Ait-Nouri; Kovacic, Parker, Samba, Heskey, Mukasa; Semenyo, Savinho, Sangare, Monga