"The hunger is there. For this part of the season, the game was tremendously demanding.
"We had a really good first half but we couldn't control the switch of play - the long balls, the duels.
"At this part of the season, that is normal.
"Nico and Gab played almost 90 minutes after two training sessions! The calendar is crazy.
"I think is was an entertaining game with a lot of chances for both sides. In the last 20 minutes, Liverpool were better but we scored one more penalty."
“It’s always going to be tough. There are going to be moments in the game that we control and moments that they control especially at this stage of the season.
"I think we defended well at times. We could have scored, they could have scored. It was a really open game.
“The good thing is that we always play the same system so we know what we have to do in the style we play. Some of the guys just came back two days ago and the rest of us have had a few weeks.
“Pre-season these days is more commercial than it is training so I think the month of August is really important to get your fitness up, to get game time. For most of the guys it was their first 90 minutes of the season so it was a really important game in that sense.”
"It's the first trophy you can win. For me, growing up the Community Shield was a big one, it starts off the season, we can start our momentum, and hopefully we can replicate what we did last season."
(On the clearance): "I'm a defender, I stop goals, I'm glad I can help the team out this time. They help me out all the time by scoring goals so that one is for them."
2002 - Manchester City are the first side to win the #CommunityShield having won both the Premier League and the FA Cup in the previous season since Arsenal (who also beat Liverpool) in 2002. Crown. pic.twitter.com/ftgxsBWdad
Great game, great result, yes it's only the #CommunityShield but a continuation of a winning culture is important. This will kick-start our Premier League campaign. #ComeonCity#mcfc@ManCity@roline_mcfc ⚽️😀😀⚽️
— Sam Slater B.A (Hons) Classical Studies (@SamSlater30) August 4, 2019
@roline_mcfc good first half, not so good second half, great workout, and we showed we can take penalties...got out of jail to a degree, bring on 2019/20 let's go City ... #mcfc
A thoroughly entertaining, absorbing contest ends level and (perhaps appropriately) will conclude with drama.
City shaded the first half but Liverpool rallied in the second. Could well have won it late on.
Both sides had great chances to win it.
Now, we await the shoot-out. The second time City and Liverpool will go head-to-head from the spot at Wembley in recent years, following our League Cup triumph of 2016.
@roline_mcfc whatever happens this game has been a great workout for the team, 5th game before the actual season starts, compared to Liverpools 6th game. C'mon City... #mcfc
Poor goal to concede as Van Dijk collects an attempted clearance at the backpost, and chips the ball into the six-yard box where Matip was waiting to pounce.
Walker with a storming run through the centre and he pokes a glorious ball through to Sterling.
The right-back carries on his run in support for a tap-in but Sterling is caught in two minds as he bears down on goal and Alisson claims the loose ball!
David Silva plays a delightful ball through to unleash either Gabriel Jesus or Sterling. The Brazilian leaves it for the latter, who curls past Alisson but strikes the post!
I *think* the goal would have been ruled out for offside by VAR but it was a glorious chance.
Brilliant from Sterling to dispossess Alexander-Arnold out on the left. He crosses for Gabriel Jesus, who lays off to David Silva but his effort flies over the bar!
Strong start to the second period. More of the same please!
I have to say I’ve been impressed with Rodri so far seems to have slotted in well and his height will definitely help us. 👍 #ManCity#CommunityShield#LIVMCI
A pleasing opening 45 for City in what has been an entertaining Community Shield clash.
Pep Guardiola's men dominated the early exchanges, opening the scoring after just 12 minutes with a well-worked set-piece move.
It hasn't all been plain sailing with Leroy Sane forced off through injury and Mo Salah having more sights of goal than we'd have liked... but overall, we've passed the ball around well and played some lovely build-up passages.
Expect changes in the second half, especially with the 'six sub' rule for this competition. Who would you like to see introduced?
From the free-kick, Walker clips the ball to the backpost where De Bruyne awaits.
The Belgian heads across goal. David Silva flicks on, into the path of Sterling, who calmly slides the ball through Alisson's legs and into the back of the net!!!
🔹 Both teams may name seven substitutes - six of whom may take part in the match.
🔹 Players being substituted now have to leave the field at the nearest point in an attempt to cut down on time-wasting.
🔹 If the match ends level after 90 minutes, there will be no extra-time and a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.
🔹 The ball does not have to leave the penalty area from a goal kick.
🔹 Attacking players are also not allowed in a defensive wall from free-kicks when there are three or more defenders, so should an attacking player be less than one metre from the wall when a free kick is taken, they will be penalised and the other team will be rewarded with an indirect free kick.
City haven't conceded a single goal in our last 528 minutes of football at Wembley Stadium; in any of the previous four finals in which Pep Guardiola has been in charge
Seems like ages since the season ended but here we go again - about time too! At least a couple missing from each team's first choice line up but both look strong
“City had a similar situation to us [in pre-season], a lot of players were not involved; it’s still a very good side together, to be honest.
“Aguero is back since this week, a couple of Brazilians – I heard, I don’t know exactly – and Fernandinho are not back yet. They played a good pre-season, I would say, good games – much less than we did, I think only four games, so it’s different.
“But at the end that’s all not important, you have to be ready on Sunday, both of us. And how everybody knows, if you defend not on your highest level it could be difficult, even more difficult.
“Because we are pretty much focused on the ball, it’s not too important who has it. The only difference is, if a City player has the ball, they do a lot of good stuff with it so we have to be spot on, 100 per cent.”
"Pep Guardiola has handed Rodri his competitive debut for the Community Shield clash with Liverpool
"The Spaniard gets his first start on English soil at Wembley, as the manager delivered on his promise to select players who got minutes under their belt in preseason.
"David Silva captains the side, while Nicolas Otamendi starts at centre-back in place of Aymeric Laporte, despite only returning to the CFA this week.
"The remaining South American trio of Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero are amongst the substitutes, though Riyad Mahrez, who trained for the first time on Friday after winning the African Cup of Nations, is not included in the matchday squad.
"There’s a welcome return to competitive action for Claudio Bravo, who makes his first start since last season’s Community Shield, as City adopt the usual 4-3-3 formation.
"With Laporte missing, the back four is as expected, whilst in midfield Rodri will sit just behind the twin playmaking powers of Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
"In Aguero and Jesus’ absence, Sterling will play through the middle, with Sane and Bernardo on either flank."
So, we know those who featured in the Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations are unlikely to start today, with some having only arrived back for training last week.
Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola explained he would utilise those who attended our pre-season Asia Tour, which means we could still see a very experienced City starting XI - Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, etc. all impressed.
Claudio Bravo in particular earned deserved acclaim for his performances and he is expected to take his place between the sticks today.
We could well see our South American and Algerian contingent introduced from the bench at some point, as they'll need minutes ahead of the Premier League opener next weekend.
Who makes your starting line-up? Find out in just under ten minutes...
“I was on the Asia Tour and when you’re in and around the first-team squad at Manchester City now, the desire to win every single game – whether it’s a pre-season friendly or a cup final – is clear.
“They want to win every single game they play and on Sunday they’ll want to put a marker down for the rest of the season.
"The 125th anniversary kit looks amazing. The one thing I love about it is that it has a touch of class, and that’s what City are about at the moment.
“For the Club to have all the success we’re having but still remember everything that happened beforehand in our 125-year history embodies everything I love about the Club.
“In an age where it’s all about sponsorship, it’s good to see a kit like this. There’s a touch of class about it – it’s totally understated. There’s a humility to it and it looks fantastic.”
Sergio Aguero scored both of City’s goals in our 2-0 win against Chelsea in this fixture last year. He could become the first player to score in consecutive Shield matches since Adrian Heath for Everton in 1985 and 1986 (excluding own goals).
🔹 This is the first FA Community Shield meeting between City and Liverpool. The only other meeting between the sides at Wembley Stadium was in the 2016 League Cup final, with City winning 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
🔹 This is the seventh time in the Premier League era a double-winning side has faced the Premier League runners-up in the FA Community Shield. The previous season’s runners-up have won two of the last three (Arsenal v Manchester United in 1999 and Manchester United v Chelsea in 2010).
🔹 This is City’s 12th appearance in the Shield, winning it five times including against Chelsea last year.
🔹 City are unbeaten in our last seven games at Wembley Stadium (W6 D1) since losing to Arsenal in the 2017 Emirates FA Cup semi-final. We’ve only conceded one goal in those seven games, scoring 16.
🔹 Liverpool have won just one of their last five games played at Wembley (D1 L3), though that victory was in their last game at the stadium, 2-1 against Spurs in the Premier League.
"I started out playing with my dad really. He took me to the local park and it was just playing with my parents and having fun.
"I remember him saying to me that there was training with my local team, Penistone Church, on a Wednesday night so I went up there and enjoyed it, made some new friends and love to play football from there on.
"I was probably five or six then, just a little kid going to play football and funnily enough, I was a goal scorer when I was younger. We used to play local teams and there were a lot of rivalries from a young kids perspective that I used to love playing in. I remember playing up a few age groups, which I think helped me out, playing against older lads.
"When I got to secondary school it was a big thing. You wanted to be part of the school team and I remember going to the try-outs. In the end I could only play a certain amount of matches for the school because of my involvement with Barnsley’s academy.
"When I got scouted for Barnsley, I was still playing Sunday League and for Barnsley as well. I never played for any other club. I could’ve gone to Leeds United, they wanted to sign me, but I just wanted to stay at Barnsley with my friends. I was there until I was 18 and I loved every minute.
"I had to manage it with my coaches, as Barnsley didn’t want me to get injured playing with my school team and in grassroots, but I just wanted to play football.
"There were hard times too, like when I was 14 or 15 maybe, I remember getting dropped down an age group for a year or two. That was a blow at the time, but I just wants physically ready for it as I was a really small as a kid.
"So it was a really difficult time for me personally and it was hard to take. I had to go with one team on the Saturday and then drop down to play for another on the Sunday. I just kept working at it though, playing and trying to enjoy it.
"At one stage I thought I was going to get released, but all of a sudden I came back after one summer like I’d slept in a growth bag. It takes time to mature and let your body grow, but it’s difficult at the time. I had to take it on the chin and work hard – recovering from that setback definitely made me a stronger person."
Don't know about you but I jumped out of bed, grabbed my sunglasses and parka coat and absolutely belted this out as I bowled down the stairs this morning...
“We had a fantastic season and we managed to win all the domestic trophies.
“Liverpool had an amazing Champions League campaign and they also did great in the Premier League, they were fighting with us until the end of the season.
“I think it will be a great game, with the best two teams from last season, both in England and also in Europe.
“But I think it's still early days to tell if we are now the best two teams in Europe at the moment.
"We will see at the weekend and it will be a great opportunity to test our level."
City celebrated the start of our 125th anniversary season by unveiling City and new kit partner PUMA's specially designed commemorative anniversary kit
The kit will be worn by the men’s team this afternoon and is inspired by the Club’s history, with specific design elements voted for by the Club’s fans.
Cityzens were invited to vote exclusively on the details, such as: which crest the kit would sport and where it would be positioned, whether it would be in full colour or monochrome, which Manchester symbol would feature on the back (the ship, the bee or the rose) and the commemorative wording on the inside tape of the neck.
It's an absolute beauty. Can't wait to see it in action!
Pep Guardiola confirmed all of his squad, bar Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy, are in contention for today's game.
While the majority of the City squad travelled to China, Hong Kong and Japan for the Club’s pre-season Asia Tour, clocking up valuable minutes, those who were in Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations action arrived later to pre-season training, following their summer breaks.
Guardiola explained that City’s South American and Algerian contingent are unlikely to start Sunday’s game, although they may be introduced from the bench.
Delighted to be reporting live from Wembley Stadium for this afternoon's eagerly-awaited Community Shield clash.
City face Liverpool in the traditional season curtain-raiser, as the Premier League Champions lock horns with the runners-up.
A solitary point separated the sides in last season's title race and the footballing world have been licking their lips in anticipation for today's encounter.
How do you feel ahead of the game? Share your thoughts with #cmoncity on Twitter!
Commentary By Caroline Oatway @roline_mcfc
Farewell from Wembley 👋
Righto, that's all from me.
As always, it's been a pleasure to report to you live from Wembley on another special day for the Club.
Stay tuned to mancity.com for more post-match reaction, and check out the player and match stats right here in the Matchday Centre.
See you again next weekend for the eagerly-anticipated Premier League season opener against West Ham.
Enjoy your week. Come on, City!
Pep Guardiola 💬
"We won on penalties - you can win; you can lose.
"The hunger is there. For this part of the season, the game was tremendously demanding.
"We had a really good first half but we couldn't control the switch of play - the long balls, the duels.
"At this part of the season, that is normal.
"Nico and Gab played almost 90 minutes after two training sessions! The calendar is crazy.
"I think is was an entertaining game with a lot of chances for both sides. In the last 20 minutes, Liverpool were better but we scored one more penalty."
The team behind the team
Ever thankful for their efforts, Pep Guardiola has gathered the City backroom staff for a photo with the trophy.
🏆💙
Class
As the team enjoy the success with the fans, Raheem Sterling has headed over to the Liverpool fans and is snapping selfies with some young Reds.
Kevin De Bruyne 💬
“It’s always going to be tough. There are going to be moments in the game that we control and moments that they control especially at this stage of the season.
"I think we defended well at times. We could have scored, they could have scored. It was a really open game.
“The good thing is that we always play the same system so we know what we have to do in the style we play. Some of the guys just came back two days ago and the rest of us have had a few weeks.
“Pre-season these days is more commercial than it is training so I think the month of August is really important to get your fitness up, to get game time. For most of the guys it was their first 90 minutes of the season so it was a really important game in that sense.”
Walker 💬
(On whether Liverpool will be City's main title contenders again):“It's too early to say.
"There are a lot of good teams in this league but hopefully we can be up there or thereabouts in all competitions."
Kyle Walker 💬
"It's the first trophy you can win. For me, growing up the Community Shield was a big one, it starts off the season, we can start our momentum, and hopefully we can replicate what we did last season."
(On the clearance): "I'm a defender, I stop goals, I'm glad I can help the team out this time. They help me out all the time by scoring goals so that one is for them."
Champagne City 🍾
The bubbly comes out and the streamers are released as City celebrate the trophy with the fans.
Magic moment
Kyle Walker will enjoy this one.
His remarkable acrobatic goalline clearance in injury time proving pivotal.
Trophy time 🏆
City make the iconic and familiar walk up the Wembley steps to collect our trophy.
In the absence of Vincent Kompany (😢), Sergio Aguero and David Silva hoist the Community Shield aloft.
And Hey Jude rings out around the ground...
Bravo, Bravo! 🧤
(You knew it was coming..)
T O G E T H E R 💙
There we have it
City are the 2019 Community Shield Champions, defending our title with a penalty shoot-out win at Wembley.
Fittingly, Claudio Bravo proved to be the hero, denying Wijnaldum from the spot.
The Chilean shot-stopper was excellent throughout and deserved to end the game on the winning side.
We kick off the 2019/20 campaign the same way we finished the last... lifting a trophy!
GABRIEL JESUS SCORES! CITY WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES!
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY: ✅✅✅✅✅
Salah scores.
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CITY: ✅✅✅✅
Zinchenko scores!
Powerful from the Ukrainian! Get in!
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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Oxlade-Chamberlain scores.
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY: ✅✅✅
Foden scores!
Composed from the youngster!
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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Lallana scores.
Good penalty. Low to Bravo's right.
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY: ✅✅
Bernardo scores!
YES! He makes no mistake.
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY: ✅✅
BRAVO SAVES!
GET IN! Wijnaldum is denied!
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY: ✅
Gundogan scores!
Great penalty. He also sends the 'keeper the wrong way.
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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Goal Liverpool.
Shaqiri sends Bravo the wrong way.
LIVERPOOL:![]()
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CITY:
Come on, Claudio!
The City shot-stopper receives pats on the back all round, as he makes his way to the goalline.
Coin toss
Liverpool will take the first penalty.
The spot-kicks will be taken at the Liverpool fans' end.
What a game
A thoroughly entertaining, absorbing contest ends level and (perhaps appropriately) will conclude with drama.
City shaded the first half but Liverpool rallied in the second. Could well have won it late on.
Both sides had great chances to win it.
Now, we await the shoot-out. The second time City and Liverpool will go head-to-head from the spot at Wembley in recent years, following our League Cup triumph of 2016.
FULL-TIME
PHEW!
That's that. One goal apiece and we head to penalties...
Bravo again!
Shaqiri with a low effort to the near post. Bravo is down again to save!
My word.
That was truly an amazing piece of defending.
DJKSNDSADNLSAND!!!
OFF THE LINE!
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE FROM WALKER!
Salah thinks he's won it, heading over Bravo, but Walker somehow clears the ball away with a sensational overhead kick!!!
City change
ARGH!
Sloppy at the back from City!
Rodri loses possession in the final third and Liverpool pounce. The ball finds Salah but Bravo races out to smother the effort and it's cleared away!
EEEK!
Liverpool well on top at the moment.
Salah strikes from distance. It's deflected but dips. Thankfully, just onto the roof of the net!
A moment later, he tries again. This one's a daisy-cutter, which is well-saved by Bravo.
Keep battling 💪
Save!
Keita with a chance to put Liverpool ahead. Again, it's beaten away by Bravo.
Liverpool changes
Disappointing
Poor goal to concede as Van Dijk collects an attempted clearance at the backpost, and chips the ball into the six-yard box where Matip was waiting to pounce.
Goal for Liverpool.
Matip levels for the Reds, heading in from close range.
ZInc mettle 💪
Two excellent interceptions from Zinchenko in recent minutes. Very alert.
Saved!
De Bruyne is denied by Alisson. Didn't generate the power on the shot he'd have liked and it was fairly comfortable for the Reds shot-stopper.
Fantastic challenge
What a tackle from Otamendi, who slides in perfectly to dispossess Salah en route to goal. Expertly-timed.
Great save!
Safe hands from Bravo, as he dives to deny Salah's powerful low effort.
Liverpool changes
Bernardoooooo, Silva! 🎵
Running down the wing... Makes those Blue boys sing... 🎵
ARGHHH!!!
What a chance for City!
Walker with a storming run through the centre and he pokes a glorious ball through to Sterling.
The right-back carries on his run in support for a tap-in but Sterling is caught in two minds as he bears down on goal and Alisson claims the loose ball!
City change
Captain David Silva is replaced by Ilkay Gundogan. The Spaniard receives a standing ovation.
Kevin De Bruyne assumes the armband.
Off the woodwork again!
Salah hits the post this time, as Liverpool press for a leveller!
The impetus is with them at the moment. City need to ride the storm...
WOAH! HOW DID THAT STAY OUT?!
Van Dijk thinks he's equalised - as do the Liverpool fans - but no!
The defender clips a cross goalward. It beats Bravo, hits the woodwork and falls onto the goalline - but BOUNCES OUT!
Replays show the ball didn't fully cross the line! Half of it did not cross.
Seen that somewhere before!
Sterling work
A brilliant, battling display from this man today. Superb.
ARGH! OFF THE POST!
What a chance for City!
David Silva plays a delightful ball through to unleash either Gabriel Jesus or Sterling. The Brazilian leaves it for the latter, who curls past Alisson but strikes the post!
I *think* the goal would have been ruled out for offside by VAR but it was a glorious chance.
Phew.
At the other end, Liverpool go in search of a leveller but Origi's low effort deflects kindly into Bravo's hands!
Ooooh!
Brilliant from Sterling to dispossess Alexander-Arnold out on the left. He crosses for Gabriel Jesus, who lays off to David Silva but his effort flies over the bar!
Strong start to the second period. More of the same please!
SECOND HALF
We are back under way.
No changes for City at the break...
KDB 👑
All hail the King.
*Terrific
Analysis
A pleasing opening 45 for City in what has been an entertaining Community Shield clash.
Pep Guardiola's men dominated the early exchanges, opening the scoring after just 12 minutes with a well-worked set-piece move.
It hasn't all been plain sailing with Leroy Sane forced off through injury and Mo Salah having more sights of goal than we'd have liked... but overall, we've passed the ball around well and played some lovely build-up passages.
Expect changes in the second half, especially with the 'six sub' rule for this competition. Who would you like to see introduced?
HALF-TIME
The referee brings the half to a close and City lead 1-0 at the break, courtesy of Raheem Sterling's early strike.
Added time
There'll be three additional minutes.
Blue and white we play together... 💙
We will carry on forevermore! 🎵
Caution
Pep Guardiola has received a booking for his reaction to the foul on Silva.
Eeek!
David Silva is down, having been caught by Gomez's high foot. The Spaniard is in some pain and Guardiola is not happy...
Thankfully, El Mago returns to his feet.
Offside!
Wembley holds its breath as De Bruyne is played through in acres... but the offside flag is raised to stop him in his tracks!
You love to see it
Ice cool ❄
Immense composure again from City's back four, playing out from the back beautifully. No hint of panic - just composure and precision.
Caution
Yellow card for De Bruyne, after he scythes Origi down.
City are back, City are back! Hello, hello! 💙
Missed these sights.
🔥
Little goalmouth action in recent minutes but things have heated up a little with a couple of niggly fouls.
Blazed over!
Salah yet again with a chance for Liverpool. This time, he collects Zinchenko's poor header out but pokes well over the bar.
Raz-zle dazzle! 💥
Raheem Sterling has now either scored (six) or assisted (one) seven goals in his last four games for club and country at Wembley!
Feels good 🤩
Five goals in five pre-season games for Raheem Sterling!Instant entertainment 🍿
Great start to this encounter. Chances for both sides, end-to-end... Really entertaining stuff.
Saved!
Sterling with a chance for his second but he shoots straight at Alisson!
Lovely build-up to that chance...
😍😍😍
Off the post!
Salah again for Liverpool. He muscles past Zinchenko but again, opts for the nearpost and strikes the foot of the woodwork.
City change
GET IN THERE!!!
From the free-kick, Walker clips the ball to the backpost where De Bruyne awaits.
The Belgian heads across goal. David Silva flicks on, into the path of Sterling, who calmly slides the ball through Alisson's legs and into the back of the net!!!
GGGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! STERLINGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
Enforced change
Doesn't look good for Leroy. He limps off.
Gabriel Jesus readies himself for action.
Ouch
Sane is down receiving treatment, having landed awkwardly. Looked to have kicked the ground when trying to escape Alexander-Arnold's attentions...
Looks in some pain.
A let-off!
Big chance for Liverpool, as Salah is played through in space. He opts to take it first time but curls the ball away from the near post.
Save!
Safe hands from Bravo.
Silky skills from Firmino to flick the ball over Zinchenko and Otamendi before firing goalward. It was straight at Bravo but he had to be alert.
Side-netting!
Sterling does brilliantly to dispossess Gomez in the final third, before sliding Sane through.
The German winger takes a touch but the angle proves too narrow and he smashes his effort to the wrong side of the post.
Confident start
City, sporting our gorgeous blue and white125th anniversary kit, have started well, passing the ball around coolly.
Nice passage of play to clear the danger in our own area just then. Calm under pressure.
An encouraging opening.
KICK-OFF ⚽
We are under way at Wembley.
COME ON, CITY!!!
A reminder of our City starting XI 🗒
Tradition 🎤
It's time for the National Anthem. The stadium rises to its feet.
Best fans in the land and all the world 💙
There's a huge Blue Moon banner draped from the third tier of the City end.
A lovely sight - as is our walk-out jacket, which is also part of our 125th anniversary range.
Spine-tingling 🙌
Here we go!
The two teams emerge from the tunnel to an almighty roar from both sets of fans.
The Premier League Champions versus the runners-up. Another tasty encounter awaits...
🌛
Anticipation kicks up a notch as our City choir assemble for a glorious rendition of Blue Moon.
All together now...
🙌🙌🙌
Alo 👋
Welcome back, Ederson - Copa America winner 🏆
Never stop teaching, never stop learning 🧠
AFCON Champion Riyad Mahrez is not in the matchday squad today... but there's always an opportunity to chat with the boss.
Community Shield: Rule changes 📋
🔹 Both teams may name seven substitutes - six of whom may take part in the match.
🔹 Players being substituted now have to leave the field at the nearest point in an attempt to cut down on time-wasting.
🔹 If the match ends level after 90 minutes, there will be no extra-time and a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.
🔹 The ball does not have to leave the penalty area from a goal kick.
🔹 Attacking players are also not allowed in a defensive wall from free-kicks when there are three or more defenders, so should an attacking player be less than one metre from the wall when a free kick is taken, they will be penalised and the other team will be rewarded with an indirect free kick.
🔹 VAR will be used.
Hat-trick 🎩
A brilliant Blue bonnet.
🧤
City haven't conceded a single goal in our last 528 minutes of football at Wembley Stadium; in any of the previous four finals in which Pep Guardiola has been in charge
So excited to see this kit make its debut 😍
There's still time to register your interest.
📺
El Mago 🎩
Captain today, David Silva will become City’s all-time highest appearance maker at Wembley Stadium, moving one clear of Vincent Kompany (14).
Jurgen Klopp 💬
“City had a similar situation to us [in pre-season], a lot of players were not involved; it’s still a very good side together, to be honest.
“Aguero is back since this week, a couple of Brazilians – I heard, I don’t know exactly – and Fernandinho are not back yet. They played a good pre-season, I would say, good games – much less than we did, I think only four games, so it’s different.
“But at the end that’s all not important, you have to be ready on Sunday, both of us. And how everybody knows, if you defend not on your highest level it could be difficult, even more difficult.
“Because we are pretty much focused on the ball, it’s not too important who has it. The only difference is, if a City player has the ball, they do a lot of good stuff with it so we have to be spot on, 100 per cent.”
Liverpool team news 🔴
Club Journalist John Edwards 👤
"Pep Guardiola has handed Rodri his competitive debut for the Community Shield clash with Liverpool
"The Spaniard gets his first start on English soil at Wembley, as the manager delivered on his promise to select players who got minutes under their belt in preseason.
"David Silva captains the side, while Nicolas Otamendi starts at centre-back in place of Aymeric Laporte, despite only returning to the CFA this week.
"The remaining South American trio of Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero are amongst the substitutes, though Riyad Mahrez, who trained for the first time on Friday after winning the African Cup of Nations, is not included in the matchday squad.
"There’s a welcome return to competitive action for Claudio Bravo, who makes his first start since last season’s Community Shield, as City adopt the usual 4-3-3 formation.
"With Laporte missing, the back four is as expected, whilst in midfield Rodri will sit just behind the twin playmaking powers of Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
"In Aguero and Jesus’ absence, Sterling will play through the middle, with Sane and Bernardo on either flank."
A closer look at City's starting XI... ⬇
TEAM NEWS 📣
Raz-ma-taz 💫
Raheem Sterling has played more matches for City under Pep Guardiola (144) than any other player.
Pepped 🧠
Pep Guardiola has taken charge of eight City matches at Wembley - at least three more than any other manager.
Team news 🔜
So, we know those who featured in the Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations are unlikely to start today, with some having only arrived back for training last week.
Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola explained he would utilise those who attended our pre-season Asia Tour, which means we could still see a very experienced City starting XI - Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, etc. all impressed.
Claudio Bravo in particular earned deserved acclaim for his performances and he is expected to take his place between the sticks today.
We could well see our South American and Algerian contingent introduced from the bench at some point, as they'll need minutes ahead of the Premier League opener next weekend.
Who makes your starting line-up? Find out in just under ten minutes...
Have a great day, lads! 💙
Over land and sea! 😮
🤩🤩🤩
Paul Dickov 💬
“Of course, you want to win.
“I was on the Asia Tour and when you’re in and around the first-team squad at Manchester City now, the desire to win every single game – whether it’s a pre-season friendly or a cup final – is clear.
“They want to win every single game they play and on Sunday they’ll want to put a marker down for the rest of the season.
"The 125th anniversary kit looks amazing. The one thing I love about it is that it has a touch of class, and that’s what City are about at the moment.
“For the Club to have all the success we’re having but still remember everything that happened beforehand in our 125-year history embodies everything I love about the Club.
“In an age where it’s all about sponsorship, it’s good to see a kit like this. There’s a touch of class about it – it’s totally understated. There’s a humility to it and it looks fantastic.”
King Kun 👑
Sergio Aguero scored both of City’s goals in our 2-0 win against Chelsea in this fixture last year. He could become the first player to score in consecutive Shield matches since Adrian Heath for Everton in 1985 and 1986 (excluding own goals).
Numbers game 🔢
🔹 This is the first FA Community Shield meeting between City and Liverpool. The only other meeting between the sides at Wembley Stadium was in the 2016 League Cup final, with City winning 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
🔹 This is the seventh time in the Premier League era a double-winning side has faced the Premier League runners-up in the FA Community Shield. The previous season’s runners-up have won two of the last three (Arsenal v Manchester United in 1999 and Manchester United v Chelsea in 2010).
🔹 This is City’s 12th appearance in the Shield, winning it five times including against Chelsea last year.
🔹 City are unbeaten in our last seven games at Wembley Stadium (W6 D1) since losing to Arsenal in the 2017 Emirates FA Cup semi-final. We’ve only conceded one goal in those seven games, scoring 16.
🔹 Liverpool have won just one of their last five games played at Wembley (D1 L3), though that victory was in their last game at the stadium, 2-1 against Spurs in the Premier League.
John Stones (from the match programme) 💬
"I started out playing with my dad really. He took me to the local park and it was just playing with my parents and having fun.
"I remember him saying to me that there was training with my local team, Penistone Church, on a Wednesday night so I went up there and enjoyed it, made some new friends and love to play football from there on.
"I was probably five or six then, just a little kid going to play football and funnily enough, I was a goal scorer when I was younger. We used to play local teams and there were a lot of rivalries from a young kids perspective that I used to love playing in. I remember playing up a few age groups, which I think helped me out, playing against older lads.
"When I got to secondary school it was a big thing. You wanted to be part of the school team and I remember going to the try-outs. In the end I could only play a certain amount of matches for the school because of my involvement with Barnsley’s academy.
"When I got scouted for Barnsley, I was still playing Sunday League and for Barnsley as well. I never played for any other club. I could’ve gone to Leeds United, they wanted to sign me, but I just wanted to stay at Barnsley with my friends. I was there until I was 18 and I loved every minute.
"I had to manage it with my coaches, as Barnsley didn’t want me to get injured playing with my school team and in grassroots, but I just wanted to play football.
"There were hard times too, like when I was 14 or 15 maybe, I remember getting dropped down an age group for a year or two. That was a blow at the time, but I just wants physically ready for it as I was a really small as a kid.
"So it was a really difficult time for me personally and it was hard to take. I had to go with one team on the Saturday and then drop down to play for another on the Sunday. I just kept working at it though, playing and trying to enjoy it.
"At one stage I thought I was going to get released, but all of a sudden I came back after one summer like I’d slept in a growth bag. It takes time to mature and let your body grow, but it’s difficult at the time. I had to take it on the chin and work hard – recovering from that setback definitely made me a stronger person."
Stat attack 📈
Pep Guardiola (on Jurgen Klopp) 💬
“[I respect] many things. He’s a class manager – a top manager.
“His teams are identified well. He’s at top manager, incredible.
“It’s an incredible challenge for me every time I face one of his teams.
“His message is always positive. His behaviour – hugging, smiling – his message is positive.
“It’s good for football. There are some exceptions, but most of the time it is good.
“We won almost every trophy; not all of them. It was quite remarkable.
“Not enough to have our players in the best players in Europe but we know each other better now than in the first season. That’s easier for our job.
“We start from zero now – we start again – but we are ready to accept the challenge.”
Wembley, Wembley! 💙
We're the famous Man City and we're going to Wembley 🎵
👏👏👏
😎
Don't know about you but I jumped out of bed, grabbed my sunglasses and parka coat and absolutely belted this out as I bowled down the stairs this morning...
Rewind ⏪ 2018 Community Shield
Claudio Bravo 💬
“We had a fantastic season and we managed to win all the domestic trophies.
“Liverpool had an amazing Champions League campaign and they also did great in the Premier League, they were fighting with us until the end of the season.
“I think it will be a great game, with the best two teams from last season, both in England and also in Europe.
“But I think it's still early days to tell if we are now the best two teams in Europe at the moment.
"We will see at the weekend and it will be a great opportunity to test our level."
🔵🔴
Something special 👕
City celebrated the start of our 125th anniversary season by unveiling City and new kit partner PUMA's specially designed commemorative anniversary kit
The kit will be worn by the men’s team this afternoon and is inspired by the Club’s history, with specific design elements voted for by the Club’s fans.
Cityzens were invited to vote exclusively on the details, such as: which crest the kit would sport and where it would be positioned, whether it would be in full colour or monochrome, which Manchester symbol would feature on the back (the ship, the bee or the rose) and the commemorative wording on the inside tape of the neck.
It's an absolute beauty. Can't wait to see it in action!
Early team news 🗒
Pep Guardiola confirmed all of his squad, bar Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy, are in contention for today's game.
While the majority of the City squad travelled to China, Hong Kong and Japan for the Club’s pre-season Asia Tour, clocking up valuable minutes, those who were in Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations action arrived later to pre-season training, following their summer breaks.
Guardiola explained that City’s South American and Algerian contingent are unlikely to start Sunday’s game, although they may be introduced from the bench.
It's matchday! ⚽
A very good morning!
Delighted to be reporting live from Wembley Stadium for this afternoon's eagerly-awaited Community Shield clash.
City face Liverpool in the traditional season curtain-raiser, as the Premier League Champions lock horns with the runners-up.
A solitary point separated the sides in last season's title race and the footballing world have been licking their lips in anticipation for today's encounter.
How do you feel ahead of the game? Share your thoughts with #cmoncity on Twitter!