Man City players given extra Barcelona motivation by Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has famously made sure that every game is treated seriously at Manchester City.

It doesn't matter if it is a Champions League final or the first round of the League Cup at non-league opposition, the City manager wants to see professionalism at all times. If a player doesn't turn it on against the 'lesser' team, the chances of him playing in more important matches shrink.

Several young players in the squad are trying to convince Guardiola that he can trust them for the season in their summer friendlies, while more senior stars are hoping to push themselves into the starting line-up when the Premier League begins. The games may not be competitive yet but there is still plenty at stake.

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And a game with Barcelona promises more than most. Guardiola's upbringing and career mean he cannot help but treat Barcelona as more special.

“Listen, it doesn’t matter that it’s a friendly game or an official game, Barcelona – for me personally, not for the club and for the team, it’s a game for the preparation – for me it has been and always will be so special,” he explained.

“I’m here thanks to Barcelona, otherwise I will not be here. They gave me everything, absolutely everything. It’s not just words to be nice to Catalunya, my former club. It’s just because it’s the truth."

Barcelona mean more to Guardiola and so any City player catching the eye against Barcelona will see their value to the manager rise as a result. Rico Lewis proved himself two years in a charity match at Camp Nou and those taking to the field against the La Liga giants in Orlando know that