Manager Josep Guardiola today canceled Manchester City’s training session ahead of their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. City are scheduled to train on Tuesday afternoon as part of their preparations for the match, with the first 15 minutes normally open to the media under UEFA broadcast agreements.
But City’s stars were given time off on Tuesday and will only reunite on match day, the club’s first time in European competition this century. On Monday, the team held a training and recovery session at the City Football Academy following their match against Bournemouth. As usual, players who did not start the match underwent more intense training and the winning team included Sabinho, Tijani Reijnders, Devine Mukasa, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rico Ruiz and John Stones.
Coach Guardiola then informed all players that they would not practice on Tuesday. The unusual decision is expected to be aimed at aiding the player’s recovery, but the manager is expected to reveal further details at a lunchtime press conference.
City are aiming to secure a top-eight spot with a direct qualification to the last 16 by winning two of their two home European matches this month over the November international break. They play Dortmund on Wednesday and Leverkusen at the end of the month.
“We are aiming to be in the top eight this season and we know how important it is not to play two extra-time games,” captain Bernardo Silva said after last month’s win at Villarreal.
“But yeah, we’re happy with the momentum we have right now and the way our team is playing.”
City currently have seven points after three games, with wins against Villarreal and Napoli, and a stalemate against Monaco.
Following two games at the Etihad this month, they will travel to Real Madrid in December and Bodo Grimt in January, finishing their opening game at home against Galatasaray.
Former City stars Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane are likely to receive a warm welcome at the Etihad if they join the Turkish side’s traveling squad.
