Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has moved to reveal his admiration for a leading member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona.
As much, of course, comes as Guardiola’s City prepare to lock horns with Barca this week.
In the latter’s first fixture of their pre-season tour of the USA, the two sides will face off in a highly-anticipated friendly clash in Orlando in the early hours of Wednesday.
Though a number of leading figures in both squads will be absent owing to extended summer vacations, a whole host of high-profile names, too, will take to the pitch at Camping World Stadium.
Amongst them, most likely, will be the aforementioned Robert Lewandowski, in line to play a leading role under the watch of new manager Hansi Flick in Catalunya’s capital this coming season.
Speaking to the media in the buildup to the clash early this morning, the name of Barcelona’s veteran goalscorer, in turn, was put to Pep Guardiola.
And the former Blaugrana tactician made use of the opportunity to heap praise on Lewandowski, in responding:
“Robert? I had him and I know perfectly well what he is capable of doing on a pitch. I’ve never seen anyone like him before. He once scored five goals in nine minutes. It seems impossible. When he gets the ball in the box, he’s dangerous. He is a fantastic player. I hope he has a very good season.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
