Manchester City were invincible in the second half of last season, eventually winning three prizes including the coveted UEFA Champions League. However, following a treble, many teams tend to show signs of a dip in form. I firmly believe that the mastermind Guardiola will continue to strive for excellence as he has done in the past - after all, he was born to conquer trophies. Now, perhaps the biggest challenge they face is whether they can continue that strong momentum in the early part of the season?
Undoubtedly, the departures of Gundogan and Malles have had an impact on the team, but I predict that Phil Cotton will be given more opportunities to showcase his talents. He may be able to prove his worth in the Westville game.
On the defensive end, the addition of Gavadore is certainly a shrewd deal and is expected to breathe new life into the team. As for Aynin Chalant, he joined City to compete for trophies, and thus, he is eager to win more honors. He has already shown a strong goal-scoring ability in the first round of the EPL season, and I won't be surprised if he can break through again in this round of matches.
Westville, after winning the UEFA Cup last season, continued their strong run in the competition. However, their record in the UEFA Super Cup has been less than stellar. In their last six appearances, they have only won once. It's worth noting that even UEFA Cup winners rarely beat the UEFA Champions League winners, and this has only happened once in the last ten years.
Coach Ventilleba will continue his usual tactical style, trying to attack on both flanks. The performance of the new left wing, Berzusha, and the veteran right wing, Jesús Narváez, will be crucial, as they will not only have to create space for the team to attack on the wings, but also provide accurate crosses for Annesley in the center.
