As the countdown continues to Saturday’s final of the Champions League, Manchester City today hosted its media day.
Media, both domestic and international, converged at the Etihad to see preparations by Pep Guardiola’s side for the game against Inter Milan which is the final part of City’s bid for a historic treble.
There were around 25 television crews from this country and overseas as well as the press and radio, both from home and overseas.
Two of the game’s former greats, Thierry Henry and Rio Ferdinand, were there in their roles as television pundits.
The day began with an open training session which was watched by the assembled media and which ball drills and small-sided matches to keep the players sharp.
Guardiola attended a press conference which was decidedly low key given the importance of Saturday’s match in Istanbul.
He pointed out it was different to their first-ever final appearance two seasons ago in Lisbon because the Covid-19 pandemic impacted that occasion.
Guardiola added that Inter has a more illustrious history to City and he could understand why they have reached the final.
“We are confident and optimistic, but we know the quality of the opposition,” he said.
“Winning will definitely take us to another level and we have to win in Europe to be at that level.”
That was followed by a mixed zone in which Guardiola and the players were grilled further by the media.
The written press and radio were given access to Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland with each interview given a five-minute cut-off.
Look out later this week on manchesterfootball.info for interviews with City players ahead of Saturday’s game when they can emulate the treble won by neighbours Manchester United in 1999.