The premier league is back with the opening game between the Champions of Championship against the Treble winners; Burnley vs Man City Match report and reaction.
The premier league curtain opener did not disappoint with drama from the start, in fact right from kick-off. You can watch the game highlights here and get the best analysis, that other pundits miss.
Even before the whistle, Pep Guardiola’s tunnel antics and the way he berated Haaland, set the tone for the evening, tension, anxiety, and the absolute demand for the highest standards for day 1.
Burnley vs Man City Match report and reaction
Pep demands the best, from the word go and he is bigger than any player, and he’s not afraid to show it. His intensity and focus on the sole goal of winning is spectacular to see, on game days he’s got tunnel vision.
Preparation is the key the work during the week before the game is as important as the game itself. But that’s how they won the treble last year.
This was evident in the second goal, straight from the training ground Haaland describes in the interview that he knew where to be for the second goal from Rodri.
For Burnley it was the worst possible start, they needed the Turf Moor hostility on their side; a bit of that Sean Dyche ‘bite and grit’ but the early goal, by Haarland dismantled their self-belief.
Burnley need some of that Dyche grit married with Kompany’s football & they must make Turf Moor back into a cauldron of raging fire.
Burnley have changed their style of play Championship champions are now a football team with flare, however, if they are going to survive in the premier league they will need to bring back some of the Dyche grit and hard work.
Haaland’s post-match slap on Neville
In the post-match interview with Haaland Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher posted questions to City forward, who admitted it’s tough with Pep, but also went on to say ‘it was still in phase one of the new season.’
Bizarrely though the CIty forward slapped Neville on his chest as we walked away from the interview.
Burnley will get better
If this game was in November, it would have been different for Burnley. Unfortunately, for them, they did get out of the blocks with nowhere near the same intensity as Man City and it showed.
Man City are a class outfit, and their superiority is often shown beyond the quality of their squad. The preparation and attention to detail before the game was significant. And that is the difference between a Man City pre-season and a Burnley pre-season.
I have no doubt Vincent Kompany will lift this team and you could see glimpses of what Burnley FC will offer going forward, but against the likes of Man City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, they will need to balance that Sean Dyche /Turf Moor hostility and grit with the quality ‘on the ball that Kompnay wants his team to play.
The biggest concern for Man City in that game would be the Injury to Kevin De Bruyne with Pep confirming it will be a lengthy absence.
