Manchester City Defeat Preston in Closed-Door Pre-Season Opener

Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory over Preston North End in a closed-door friendly at the City Football Academy, as the club began preparations for the 2025/26 season.

Rico Lewis scored the only goal of the game, finishing off a move initiated by Oscar Bobb. The match served as an opportunity for Pep Guardiola to reintegrate senior players and evaluate several new summer signings, including Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.

The friendly was held without fan access and was not broadcast publicly, reflecting City’s localised and low-key approach to pre-season this summer. Guardiola has opted to keep training and fixtures close to home, avoiding last year’s extended US tour in favour of a more fitness-centric setup.

Among those who featured in the fixture were Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Savinho, and Erling Haaland, though official line-ups have not been released.

Next up for City is a match against fellow City Football Group club Palermo in Sicily on Saturday, 9 August, where fans will have the first public opportunity to observe the new squad in action before the Premier League opener at Wolves on August 16.

FAQ

• What was the score? Manchester City 1-0 Preston North End.
• Who scored? Rico Lewis, assisted by Oscar Bobb.
• Was the match public? No, it was behind closed doors with no fan access.
• When is City’s next game? August 9 vs Palermo in Sicily.

Conclusion

City’s controlled start to the summer marks a fresh tactical approach from Pep Guardiola, focused on fitness and tactical cohesion. Rico Lewis’ goal highlights the club’s youth development while reintegrating its senior stars. With Palermo up next, City’s preparations are clearly intensifying ahead of another demanding campaign.