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Mendy unlikely to debut in Manchester City's season opener

Matthew Ashton - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Benjamin Mendy wasn't part of Manchester City's rampant display against Real Madrid on Wednesday night as he continues to work his way back from a thigh issue.

Pep Guardiola instead handed a non-competitive debut to Danilo against his old club, assuming a left wing-back slot that's primed for Mendy's hustle and pace when he returns to full fitness.

"We don't want to take a risk because he (Mendy) is so explosive," Guardiola told BBC Sport after the 4-1 bashing of Los Blancos, adding that the Frenchman will miss "two or three weeks."

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That spell on the sidelines makes the chances of Mendy making his City bow at Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 12 appear unlikely. The 23-year-old, signed from Monaco this summer for around €57.5 million, will then look to introduce himself to City supporters in the first home match of the season against Everton on Aug. 21.

"Today we saw how good he can play," Guardiola said of Mendy's stand-in, Danilo. "He is a competitor. Him and Kyle (Walker) helped organise our back four. They communicated with each other. We are very pleased about that side."

Fellow full-back Demeaco Duhaney, 18, was also afforded an opportunity from the bench in the morale-boosting victory in Los Angeles.

City rounds off its U.S. tour with a clash against Tottenham Hotspur in Nashville on Saturday.

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