After representing England U20 against Turkey U20, Nico O'Reilly spoke to England officials to share his feelings about being selected for Manchester City's first-team squad this season and what he is looking forward to in the future.
O'Reilly began by reflecting on his first experience in the Manchester City first team. He said that he didn't expect to get a chance to play when he traveled with the team to the United States for the tour at the beginning of the new season, but Coach Pep Guardiola's trust allowed him to quickly integrate into the team. He was honored and grateful to be given the opportunity to play and perform well in his first game, and then was given several more appearances.
Talking about what it's like to play on tour abroad, O'Reilly said he didn't feel too much pressure. He focuses on the game itself and tries to do his job without being distracted by off-court factors. This focus and confidence allowed him to play his best in the tournament.
O'Reilly couldn't hide his excitement about how he felt about being selected for Manchester City's first team. He said it means a lot to him to be trusted and reused by a world-class coach like Pep Guardiola. As a loyal fan of Manchester City, he has loved and looked forward to this team since he was a child. He is proud and honored to represent the first team of Manchester City. He is also grateful to his family for their support and help in getting him to this point.
Speaking about his experience of starting against Manchester United in the pre-season friendly and Community Shield, O'Reilly said it was a memorable game. Under the pressure of facing 78,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium, he showed excellent mental quality and athleticism. He confessed that he likes the pressure because it can inspire him to perform better. At the same time, he also said that the experience of facing tens of thousands of spectators in the U.S. pre-season tournament has provided him with valuable experience.
