The two goalkeepers joined City during the 2025 summer transfer window and are currently part of the club's pre-season tour of Asia. Bettinelli said working alongside the Italy international has helped him improve his own game.

"We have a bit of a language barrier but his English is getting better all the time, so we get on really well," Bettinelli said.

"He's a fantastic goalkeeper who's had a fantastic career so far. He's won a lot of things but he's still so humble and hardworking.

"That showed last season. We needed him in big moments in big games and he was there for the team.

"It's been great to watch and I'm taking so many attributes that he has and trying to work on them."

With several senior players still absent after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Bettinelli believes it is important for the experienced members of the squad to guide the younger players during the tour.

The 34-year-old said he enjoys taking on that responsibility, especially with several academy players and young goalkeepers travelling with the first team.

"Whenever pre-season comes around, there's always young lads on their first trip like this, so it's important we do what we can for them," he said.

"We've got two young goalkeepers with us too, so that's a fun new dynamic in training.

"While there are still some big leaders away after the World Cup, it's nice to be one of the older lads and play my role."

Bettinelli is also familiar with City's new manager Enzo Maresca after previously working with the Italian at Chelsea. He said the players have adapted quickly to the new coach's methods.

"I was fortunate enough to work with Enzo for a season, so I'm quite used to a lot of the things he's trying to do," Bettinelli said.

"He's made some changes, obviously, and I think all the boys have adapted really well, taken it on board and they're enjoying the sessions. We're all looking forward to every training session at the moment."

City began their Asia tour with a match against Inter and will also face the K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid before returning home.

Bettinelli believes testing themselves against top-quality opposition during pre-season will leave the squad well prepared for the new campaign.

"Whenever you face teams like that, you always know they've got fantastic players," he said.

"I don't think there's such a thing as a pre-season friendly anymore because everyone is ready to compete from the first game.

"These matches are really tough. We know we don't have our full squad here, but it's important to build a good foundation before the season starts."

Manchester City play their next pre-season match against the K-League All Stars on Wednesday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea.

Happy Jele highlights key challenge facing Orlando Pirates this season