Maresca and Arteta Give Team News Before Community Shield
Listen to the story
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has given a fitness update on several players ahead of the Community Shield. He spoke about McAidoo, Haaland, and Rodri, giving details about their condition before the match.
The Community Shield is an English football match played at the start of the season. It is often seen as a curtain-raiser before the new campaign begins, and it features Manchester City this year.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also spoke to reporters during his pre-match press conference. He answered questions from journalists ahead of the game against Manchester City.
One key topic was the absence of two important Arsenal players. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will not be playing in this match.
Fans and reporters were keen to understand the reasons behind these absences, as both players are regular starters for Arsenal.
Team news like this is common before big matches, as managers explain squad decisions and player availability.
The Community Shield remains a popular fixture for fans, offering an early look at teams before the competitive season starts.
Vocabulary9 words
- fitness update
- news about how healthy or ready a player is
- Community Shield
- a match played before the football season begins
- campaign
- all the games a team plays in one season
- pre-match press conference
- a talk with journalists before a game
- absence
- when someone is not present or not playing
- starters
- players who begin the game on the field
- manager
- the leader who chooses the team and tactics
- squad
- the group of players in a team
- reporters
- people who ask questions and write news stories
Quiz
Answer key
1. A fitness update 2. It is played at the start of the season 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has given a _____ on several players ahead of the Community Shield. He spoke about McAidoo, Haaland, and Rodri, giving details about their _____ before the match.
The Community Shield is an English football match played at the start of the season. It is often seen as a curtain-raiser before the new _____ begins, and it features Manchester City this year.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also spoke to _____ during his pre-match press conference.
One key topic was the _____ of two important Arsenal players. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will not be playing in this match.
Fans and reporters were keen to understand the reasons behind these absences, as both players are regular _____ for Arsenal.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think managers give fitness updates before big matches?
- What is the purpose of a pre-season match like the Community Shield?
- How might the absence of key players affect a team's performance?
- Do you follow team news and press conferences before football matches? Why or why not?