Burnley boss Vincent Kompany makes blunt admission about preparing to face Man City

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany insists he is not looking too far ahead to next week's Premier League opener against Manchester City, instead focusing on finishing pre-season strongly.

Kompany will welcome former side City to Turf Moor for the opening game of the 2023/2024 Premier League season next Friday. The Belgian got his side back up from the Championship at the first time of asking, enjoying a brilliant season in charge and catching the eye of Pep Guardiola.

He will come up against his former boss for the second time, following last season's 6-0 FA Cup quarter-final rout, but refuses to be drawn into the occasion just yet as he prepares to face FC Mainz on Saturday.

"I don't think you can play the game too early," Kompany told Sky Sports when asked about the opener. "We have a friendly game first that I want to get out of the way and make sure we approach in the right way.

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"I'll really [start] thinking about the game next Monday when we come back in. That's when we’ll start preparing the game, working towards the game and like every game we approach, trying to see if there is a way to win. That's our main concern but we're still doing pre-season now."

Kompany and Burnley have been handed a baptism of fire in opening the new season against City. Guardiola's side romped to a third straight Premier League title last season before adding the FA Cup and Champions League to complete an illustrious treble.

But rather than curse his luck at being handed a nightmare start, the Clarets boss is looking forward to the challenge and would rather face elite sides every week.

"I said before if I had the choice, I would play every week of every month of every year