Phil Foden will captain Manchester City for the club’s pre-season opener against Inter in Hong Kong, marking Enzo Maresca’s first match in charge. The game is scheduled for 12:30 UK time and begins City’s latest summer preparations.
Foden’s role as captain is one of the main talking points heading into the friendly. The England midfielder is set to lead the side in a high-profile opening test as City return to action ahead of the new campaign.
The match also puts the spotlight on Maresca, who starts his tenure with a demanding fixture against Inter. From the club’s preview, the new boss has already framed the game around his main pre-season objective, with the focus on getting the squad started in the right way rather than treating the occasion like a competitive final.
With City facing strong opposition in Hong Kong, the fixture offers an early look at the team under Maresca and at how key players such as Foden are used in the opening stages of pre-season. It is the first step in building rhythm, sharpness and direction before the season begins.
