ABU DHABI // The Premier League does not relent. As one of the few European leagues without a winter break, any chance to get away from the grind of a season to try to regroup is not to be missed.
Defending champions Manchester City have taken the opportunity to get away with a whirlwind five-day training camp in Abu Dhabi and it has proven useful.
Read more: Sergio Aguero hails Wilfried Bony arrival as boost to Manchester City’s trophy hunt
Vincent Kompany, the club captain, was in no doubt.
“It’s massively important because you get so much out of it, for us as well,” Kompany said after a training session in persistent drizzle at the Mohammad bin Zayed Stadium.
“It’s an 11-month season if you include pre-season training and 11 months down the line you still have games. So this gives us time to be out of the league for a bit and it’s great for team spirit.”
City take on Hamburg tonight in Al Ain in a friendly but they are entering a critical period on several fronts.
They take on Middlesborough in the FA Cup this weekend, before the big clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Towards the end of February they welcome Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League.
“It’s important right now and nice to be with the whole team here,” Stevan Jovetic said. “It’s good to come away from England, just even for a couple of days.”
The key to the weeks ahead, as Manuel Pellegrini said, would be to focus on one challenge at a time.
“All the competitions we are in are very important,” he said. “But we will start thinking about Barcelona in February. For now we have the FA Cup and the Premier League to think about. “This is very important for us to come away because we are always welcome here. This is a very short break but I think it is very good for the rest of our season.”
The trip to Stamford Bridge will mean that much more to one man at Manchester City. Frank Lampard was asked about the significance of returning to the club where he is considered a legend.
He did not want to talk about it, he said.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
