Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Community Shield match against Arsenal at Millennium Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Erling Haaland is "fine" after sitting out for the final part of the club's open training session at Etihad Stadium on Thursday. The striker is just nursing "some small things behind his heels".
- The reason for Savinho's absence was illness. The left winger's availability will rest on his ability to train with the squad on Friday afternoon.
- He rejected the idea that the Community Shield is just another pre-season friendly, explaining: "When a trophy is there for the taking, you always try to win the game. It isn't a friendly game at all, it is a trophy opportunity."
- On facing Premier League winners Arsenal: "It is a fantastic team which is well managed and well coached by Mikel Arteta. Last season shows how good they are at the moment, but we are Manchester City and we are going to try to close the gap on them."
- He wants to see "the right spirit to continue to improve" and "the right mentality to continue to win games and titles" when his players step out at Wembley Stadium.
- When asked if he expects Rodri to be at Manchester City at the end of the transfer window, having reported back for pre-season on Friday, Maresca replied: "Anything can happen. I just saw him in the building and I gave him a big hug. He is looking good. We will see what happens."
- Rodri is in the rehabilitation phase of his "recovery programme" after having minor back surgery in July.
- However, Maresca's focus isn't on "the players that might be leaving or arriving" with just two days to go until his first competitive match as Manchester City boss.
- He remained tight-lipped on the club's interest in Enzo Fernandez, despite Chelsea setting a Friday deadline for offers of £120m or more from clubs interested in the midfielder. "I don't think we're going to do something today, to be honest..." he offered.
- On whether he has tried to convince Tijjani Reijnders to stay at Etihad Stadium: "It is a bit difficult to convince players when they are already convinced in their minds. Sometimes the club, the player and the manager all think it is the right decision to let a player go."
- The future of centre-back Vitor Reis, who spent last season on loan at Girona, is still unclear, though.
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[BBC]
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