Saturday, 16 August 2025 – 11:00 a.m.
Manchester City's players occupied one of the conference rooms inside a team hotel in Wolverhampton, dressed in matching club travel gear as breakfast trays and coffee cups gradually disappeared from the tables. The atmosphere was relaxed but focused. Conversations drifted around the room, stopping only when Bernardo Silva and Pep Lijnders walked through the doors.
Bernardo carried a folded sheet of paper.
"The boss has decided the team."
The room settled almost instantly.
He unfolded the page and began reading.
"James Trafford."
Trafford gave a small nod.
"Rayan Aït-Nouri. Rúben Dias. John Stones. Rico Lewis."
Each player acknowledged their name with little more than a raised hand.
"Nico González."
"Here."
"Bernardo Silva."
Bernardo pointed to himself with a grin before continuing.
"Tijjani Reijnders."
The Dutch midfielder leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile.
Then Bernardo reached the front three.
