Enzo Marescas reign as Manchester City head coach gets under way on Saturday when the Blues meetInter Milanin a pre-season friendly at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Handed the task of succeeding Pep Guardiola after a decade of unprecedented success at the Etihad Stadium, Maresca takes charge for the first time as City begin a three-match trip to Asia that also includes fixtures against a K-League All Stars XI and Atletico Madrid in Seoul.City secured a domestic cup double last season but failed to reclaim the Premier League title, and Saturdays meeting with the team they beat in the 2023 Champions League final offers an early look at how the new head coach intends to set his side up. With several senior players still on an extended break following the World Cup, a youthful City line-up is expected, giving academy graduates and summer signings a chance to make an early impression.Tomorrow is the first game, for us always its an opportunity to try to improve and get better, said Maresca. And I think now we are in a process where its important that we can play this kind of game for the physical conditions. Were happy to be here, train here and play the game tomorrow.Were going to be judged always, not just tomorrow. Its important now that we started 10 days ago altogether, were introducing new concepts. This is our main focus.Inter, meanwhile, arrive in good shape under Cristian Chivu. The Nerazzurri swept to the Serie A title last season, finishing 11 points clear of runners-up Napoli, and added a 10th Coppa Italia to complete a first domestic double since 2010, despite a disappointing early exit in Europe. Pre-season has brought a 16-0 rout of SV Aasen and a fightback win over Karlsruher, with Andy Diouf scoring twice in each match.The occasion is also notable for John Stones, who officially completed his free transfer to Inter this week after a decade at City, though the England defender remains on holiday and will not feature against his old club.Table of ContentsTeam News for Manchester City v Inter MilanExpected line-ups for Manchester City v Inter MilanHow to watch Manchester City v Inter Milan: TV and online streamsStats for Manchester City v Inter MilanPrediction for Manchester City v Inter MilanResponsible GamblingTeam News for Manchester City v Inter MilanMaresca has named a 28-man travelling squad for the Asia tour, with a host of World Cup participants given extended rest. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Nico OReilly, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson are all unavailable as a result. Ruben Dias, Omar Marmoush and Matheus Nunes will arrive in Hong Kong on Saturday morning but wont be considered for the game.Rodri, fresh from winning the World Cup with Spain, is also missing after undergoing minor back surgery, while Jack Grealish continues his recovery from a stress fracture in his foot sustained while on loan at Everton. James Trafford, who is closing in on a �40million move to Leeds United, has not travelled, and Kalvin Phillips is expected to depart in the coming days.With Bernardo Silva, Stones and Nathan Ake also having left the club this summer, several fringe players and academy prospects are set to be involved, including summer signing Jeremy Monga, Under-21s striker Divin Mubamba and teenage winger Ryan McAidoo.Inter have their own selection issues following the World Cup, with captain Lautaro Martinez among those still absent. Chivu has already strengthened his goalkeeping options with the arrival of Ivan Provedel from Lazio, who will compete with Josep Martinez following Yann Sommers departure, while Aleksandar Stankovic has returned to the club after an impressive loan spell at Club Brugge. Diouf, in good early pre-season form, could offer a like-for-like option on the right of the attack following Denzel Dumfries move to Real Madrid.Expected line-ups for Manchester City v Inter MilanManchester City:Donnarumma; Lewis, Reis, Khusanov, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Monga; MubambaInter Milan:Martinez; Bisseck, Bovio, Augusto; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Stankovic, Dimarco; Iddrissou, EspositoHow to watch Manchester City v Inter Milan: TV and online streamsManchester City v Inter Milan kicks off at 12:30pm UK time on Saturday 1st August, which is 7:30pm local time in Hong Kong. There is no free-to-air broadcast in the UK, but the match will be shown live worldwide via Citys subscription streaming service, CITY+. Viewers in Italy can also watch via DAZN.Stats for Manchester City v Inter MilanThis is Manchester Citys first match since Pep Guardiolas departure after a decade in charge, with Enzo Maresca taking the reinsThe sides have met twice competitively, both in the last three years: City won the 2022/23 Champions League final in Istanbul thanks to Rodris second-half strike, while a 2024/25 Champions League league-phase meeting finished 0-0Inter enter the game as reigning Serie A champions, having won the title by 11 points and added the Coppa Italia to complete a domestic doubleThe clubs have also met twice in pre-season tournaments, with City winning the 2011 Dublin Super Cup 3-0 and Inter winning 3-0 in Baltimore in 2010Prediction for Manchester City v Inter MilanPre-season results should always be taken with a pinch of salt, particularly with City fielding an unfamiliar line-up in Marescas first game and several of Inters own senior players still absent. However, Chivus side are further into their pre-season programme and have shown better match sharpness in their two warm-up fixtures so far, which should count for something even in a friendly.Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Inter MilanResponsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare: www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: gambleaware.orgGamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Topics Inter Milan Manchester City F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read City boss Maresca dismisses reports of Real Madrid move for Rodri as speculation and insists Spain skipper will return to Manchester Jon Fisher 31st July, 2026 Man City away kit 2026/27: Full details on new shirt and strip Ben Miller 31st July, 2026 John Stones joins Inter Milan as a free agent Mitch Fretton 30th July, 2026 BREAKING: Real Madrid in talks with Manchester City over signing of Rodri Jon Fisher 29th July, 2026 Manchester City forward informs club of desire to leave Nicholas McGee 28th July, 2026 BREAKING: Josko Gvardiol signs new five-year contract with Manchester City Jon Fisher 28th July, 2026
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