With Euro 2020 and the Copa America now firmly in the rear-view mirror, Manchester City will be looking to properly begin their preparations for the new season. Pep Guardiola has one of the biggest and most talented squads in all of European football, but he’ll know even his star-studded team won’t win anything unless they hit the ground running next month. As such, a number of non-competitive fixtures have been planned between now and the start of the new Premier League season on August 13. 
Man City’s pre-season friendlies
27 July v Preston North End
31 July v ES Troyes AC
7 August v Leicester City (Community Shield)
Pep Guardiola will be demanding another impressive season from his Man City stars
Despite having a Premier League title to defend and aspirations of once again challenging for the Champions League, Guardiola’s side have seemingly only arranged for two friendly matches before the start of the new season.
On July 27 the English champions will welcome Preston North End to the Etihad Stadium for their first match of the 2021/22 season.
Then, four days later, Guardiola’s squad will travel to France to face newly-promoted Ligue 1 side Troyes at their stadium in north east France.
Unlike their main rivals in the Premier League, Man City’s season will start a little earlier than most as Guardiola’s side will also feature in this year’s Community Shield.
Having won the Premier League, City will then be tasked with taking on FA Cup winners Leicester City at Wembley at the start of August.
While the Community Shield technically isn’t a competitive game and the competition isn’t considered a serious piece of silverware, it will likely demand a full-strength team from Guardiola on the day and will be a game the City manager will be hoping to win and use as a stepping stone towards the start of their league campaign on August 15.