The squad left the UAE’s capital on Saturday after a five-day break, with the majority of the players now set to join up with their international sides before returning to Manchester.
Club journalist Rob Pollard was in Abu Dhabi and penned a few observations…
The atmosphere in the squad is exceptional
It became increasingly clear as the week progressed that this City squad are a tight unit.
The players clearly get on. No factions or in-fighting, just a togetherness and collective desire to achieve.
This, perhaps more than anything, will be vital as we look to secure the Premier League title and progress further in the Champions League.
Break was much-needed
Almost every player, at some stage during the week, described the importance of this period without a competitive game.
This has been a demanding season for City. With success comes a heavy schedule, and City have played 47 matches in all competitions so far this term, with eight more Premier League games still to come and, hopefully, another five in the Champions League.
This 19-day period without a game is crucial. Tiredness and injuries can be alleviated by a clear break as the players recuperate and allow their bodies some recovery time.
And, as Bernardo Silva quite rightly pointed out, it allows City a better chance of competing in the Champions Leagues against European sides who had the luxury of a winter break.
READ: Our Champions League opponents
READ: Bernardo Silva’s full interview
Training intensity has been high
Anyone who thinks this was a holiday in the sun would be hugely mistaken.
As well as attending a number of tactical meetings, the players trained three times, with the intensity at each session incredibly high.
This squad is full of winners who want to compete at all times. Training is no exception.
Two sessions ended with 11-a-side matches and each player’s will to win was clear to see. No one was shirking challenges and the pressing and desire to recover possession when the ball was lost was like at has been in every competitive game we’ve been involved in this season.
Sane looks sharp
Scoring 12 goals and assisting a further 15 would perhaps lead some young players to become complacent, but if this week is anything to go by, Leroy Sane still has plenty he wants to improve on.
He looked incredibly sharp throughout our time in Abu Dhabi.
READ: Leroy Sane praises ‘perfect’ Pep
KDB is the pass master
Even in training, Kevin De Bruyne leaves you amazed by the accuracy of his passing.
All he needs is a split second to carve open a back four or deliver a pin-point cross.
He really stood out during the training matches.
Young guns continue first-team education
Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aro Muric continued their involvement with the first-team squad this week.
What an education those young players are receiving, working alongside the finest players, backroom staff and medical team in the game.
The players are relaxed about drawing Liverpool
On our last full day in Abu Dhabi, the draw for the Champions League quarter-final was made, with City pitted against Liverpool.
And the reaction of the players suggested they are relaxed about the tie. It should be a brilliant two legs.
WATCH: Our previous meetings against Liverpool
The locals love City
There was plenty of interest from the locals in City’s arrival.
And with two of the training sessions open to the public, there were opportunities for them to get closer than ever to the players.
There were selfies and signed shirts galore, with City’s popularity in the UAE growing rapidly.
Soccer School
Aymeric Laporte and Brahim Diaz took time out to take some of the youngsters who attend our City in the Community Soccer School in Abu Dhabi.
The pair, who have struck up a close relationship, oversaw some passing and shooting drills, and then took part in a game.
It was a brilliant event.
And it wasn’t all about football…
There was time for the players to get away from it all, including a day spent with CityTV playing hide and seek!
Worth watching just to see Zinchenko count to 10.
