Pep Guardiola’s squad kicked off our Asia Tour in emphatic style in midweek by recording a fine 4-1 victory over West Ham to set up tomorrow’s Premier League Asia Trophy final against Wolves, who ran out 4-0 victors against Newcastle in their opener.
And, fresh from our record-breaking Fourmidables campaign of last season, Bernardo says City are eager to lay down a marker in Shanghai ahead of the new campaign to help drive the squad’s collective desire into even sharper focus.
“To win is a fundamental element of this team,” the midfielder stressed.
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“We want to prepare for the season in the best way possible, we want to recreate the dynamic we had last season, which helped us win four trophies.
“But, of course, if we can add another win and trophy to that equation, ever better.”
Bernardo will also be coming up against familiar faces in tomorrow’s final given Wolves’ contingent of their own top-quality Portuguese personnel.
As well as former Porto and Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper Nuno Espirito Santo, who is now manager of the Molineux outfit, Wolves also feature formidable Portuguese stars such as Rui Patrício, Diogo Jota, Moutinho, Rúben Neves amongst their squad.
They may all be close team-mates of his on the international stage with Portugal – but on Saturday with the Premier League Asia Trophy up for grabs, Bernardo admits friends will become foes – for 90 minutes at least.
“Yes, I’m used to playing with them,” Bernardo added.
“We faced them last season in the Premier League, they are also my friends with whom I play in the Portuguese national team, so it will indeed be a pleasure to face them again, this time here in China.”
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The game, which will be staged at Shanghai’s Hongkou Stadium, will also afford City another opportunity to play in front of thousands of enthusiastic Chinese supporters.
And for Bernardo, who is making his first-ever trip to the country, said he was revelling in the experience of playing in and exploring all that China has to offer.
“They (the Chinese fans) are amazing and their support is extraordinary,” Bernardo added. “I’m happy to see them all here cheering us up. We are very thankful to all of them!”
