AFC Bournemouth
Defender Steve Cook believes AFC Bournemouth have lined up formidable pre-season opposition as they look to hit the ground running in 2019/20.
Cook starred at the back as the Cherries collected 20 points from their first ten games last season – their best start to a Premier League campaign.
It followed an intense pre-season which included a training camp at La Manga Club and tough friendlies against Sevilla, Levante, Bristol City, Nottingham Forest, Real Betis and Olympique Marseille.
Eddie Howe’s squad will again be put through their paces at La Manga next month before moving on to Barcelona where they will meet Spanish second flight outfit Girona on 20th July.
An away double-header against Championship clubs West Brom (26th July) and Brentford (27th July) will be followed by prestigious warm-up matches at Vitality Stadium against Lazio (2nd August) and Lyon (3rd August).
The Cherries will kick-off their games programme against opponents still to be finalised at La Manga Club Football Centre on 16th July.
Cook, the Cherries’ leading appearance-maker in the Premier League, told afcb.co.uk: “Where we are as a club now, we have to be tested against the best.
“It just shows how far we have come that we are playing the likes of Lazio and Lyon in pre-season friendlies.
“It will be great for our supporters to see teams they probably haven’t seen live. Hopefully, they will turn out in their numbers to see two great spectacles against top European teams.
“Lyon are a huge club in Europe and I’m sure they will bring a really strong side. Lots of people grew up watching Football Italia and Lazio are another massive draw.
“Girona have a connection with Manchester City’s owners and I’m sure they will try to play the same way.
“Spanish teams always like to keep the ball and attack. That mirrors us so hopefully we can get a lot of good work out of the game against them.
“West Brom and Brentford are likely to be two of the strongest teams in the Championship next season so they will provide a stern test.
“You like to get back into the routine of travelling and playing tough away games as quickly as possible because it stands you in good stead for the start of the season.
“Pre-season is all about getting up to speed and testing yourself against the best so these competitive games will give us a great opportunity to do that.”
Discussing a return to La Manga Club, Cook added: “It will be great to go back. It was tough last season but it was a very worthwhile camp. We had a bit of everything – team bonding, good games and intense training.
“In my opinion, it was the hardest pre-season we’ve had since I’ve been here and I’m sure it will be upped again.
“It’s no real surprise that we’re heading back there because we started last season so well and will be looking to do the same this year.”
For details on ticket prices for the Lazio and Lyon games, click here
