Pep Guardiola indicated that he will use players that need game time when Manchester City take on Barcelona next week in a mid-season friendly.
The Blues have signed up for a charity game in support of a former Barcelona and Spain keeper who worked with Guardiola, although the timing of the match has left supporters anxious not to lose any players to injury ahead of bigger challenges and competitions.
The City manager defended the decision to play the game, insisting that on top of the charitable cause it would be 'incredibly important' to play at the Camp Nou against a team who 'it never looks like a friendly' when you play them. He went on to talk up the significance of getting rhythm into all of his squad ahead of the next month where they will have a game every three days.
Also read: Man City to hold Girona training camp before Barcelona friendly
"What is a strong team for you? I don't think I will play, though I would love it!" he said.
"The players who don't play against Newcastle for example, or John [Stones] who hasn't started so far this season, the players with a lack of minutes are going to play but the guys who play at Newcastle are going to play too.
"It's perfect. The best way to take rhythm is playing games. Training is nice but the best way is playing games and the guys who didn't play much minutes in these two games are going to play and after in September with games every three days everyone is going to play."
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