Kovacic sees "why City have been so successful"

Mateo Kovacic joined Pep Guardiola in the pre-match press conference, as the Cityzens gear up for their third pre-season friendly, this time against Atletico Madrid.

The Croatian is the Cityzens' only signing of the window so far, and the treble-winners have already seen the departures of captain Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez this summer. The new midfielder though has been very positive about his first pre-season with the Manchester club and discussed what it was like seeing first-hand the level of the training.

"I have been very welcomed since the first day, not just by players and staff but everyone around Manchester City. I appreciate it", he began. "It feels nice to be a Manchester City player. I can see in training sessions that I am surrounded by great players of great quality and great human beings".

"I knew the team had a lot of quality and playing against them was never easy - it was always tough," added the Croatian international. "They keep the ball so well and put pressure on you. Now I am here I can see why. The intensity is so high and everyone is so professional and doing their best on the pitch".

"You can see why they have been successful in recent years. The whole club is just amazing and it's a pleasure to be part of it and I'm looking forward to having a good season", he continued. He also felt it was an honour to be sought after by a team like City, and wants to make his own mark on the club.

"It is a pleasure a club like Manchester City wants you and signs you. It's huge privilege for me," he said. "Ilkay left, the captain of the club and who had huge success but I need to do my own role. I want to be fit, do my best and be ready as soon as possible to have great games for this club."

 

July 29, 2023