Pep Guardiola was delighted by the way his team fought against Real Madrid and says the score line was secondary.

City were bright and sharp throughout in an entertaining ICC clash in L.A, but the La Liga giants were swept aside after the break as the Blues cruised to a 4-1 win.

Said Pep: “The result is not so important but the way we fought for each other, that is.

“It is the pre-season, just like the last game against United where we lost but did good things.

“If we play in this intensity, that is our dream to be more stable and solid and of course Kyle Walker and Danilo and also Mendy will help us increase our intensity

“As I say, the result is not so important, but the way we fought for each other to play, that’s the most important thing.

“We need to build something, it’s just pre-season a friendly game.”

TEAM FIRST: Boss impressed by team's togetherness
TEAM FIRST: Boss impressed by team's togetherness

The boss also had praise for Kevin De Bruyne who created City’s first three goals during a faultless display of creativity and hard work.


He said: “It is difficult to find a player with his quality, this is a guy who fights, passes, does many things.

“Since I arrived, I think Kevin, when his mood is optimistic he makes a performance like this and it is difficult to find a player with his quality - a guy who fights, passes and assists. He can do whatever he wants.”

Ederson made a number of fine saves during the win and his distribution was confident and imaginative, earning more praise for the Blues’ manager.

“We knew his quality, he’s young, slowly becoming the national team goalkeeper. We just need to try to help him to understand English better. Tonight, he saved many shots, he has quality to read situations with the ball at his feet, too.

“We say how good Danilo can play, how he and Kyle organised our back four, helped communicate and so on – and then we have Yaya - he is a huge personality and loves to play football - I love training with guys who love football. 

“You give him a ball and he enjoys. Not easy against those players. Yaya made a huge effort today.”

Pep also gave an injury update on a trio of players, adding: “David Silva may be ready for the start of the season, but Mendy has a muscular injury and he needs two or three more weeks, we don’t want to take any risks. Ilkay also is not ready.”