Pundit on Man City season being derailed after ‘ridiculous’ development
Man City will not let their midweek friendly with Barcelona derail their season, according to Alan Hutton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Tottenham and Scotland full-back insisted the trip to Spain will not affect Man City going forward.
The two sides played out a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou on Wednesday (24 August) in a game that was organised to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) awareness.
Julian Alvarez, Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez scored the goals for Pep Guardiola’s side while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay found the net for the hosts.
It was initially scheduled for last summer but covid restrictions saw it rearranged for this year after both teams had started their season.
City beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday (27 August) in their first game after the friendly.
Asked whether the game with Barca will have long-term negative consequences, Hutton told Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen: “I don’t think so.
“I think both teams made 10 subs each or something ridiculous like that.
“It was for charity, it was about people just getting minutes in their legs. I don’t think it would have been too intense really.
“They scored three each so it was obviously very open. Everyone got a chance to get out there and perform.
“I don’t see it affecting them moving forward.”
Man City are next in action on Wednesday (31 August) when they host Premier League newboys Nottingham Forest.
They then travel to Aston Villa on Saturday (3 September).
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man City are to bypass new legislation amid “Government pressure”.