Man City impress as they edge closer to Club World Cup title،
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Pep Guardiola doesn't usually like long trips to squeeze more matches into an already busy schedule, but he may view the FIFA Club World Cup as a blessing in disguise.
Make no mistake, if he is to be here – and FIFA says so – Guardiola wants to win, and by beating Urawa Red Diamonds at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday, Manchester City will have the chance to be crowned the best player. best club team in the world and win a fifth trophy in 2023 when they face Brazilian club Fluminense at the same venue on Friday.
But the benefits of a trip to Saudi Arabia in December could extend beyond adding another piece of silverware to the stocked cupboard. City have arrived in Jeddah at a time when things aren't going so well in the Premier League – with one win in their last six games – and are spending perhaps a week training in the Middle Eastern sun, away from cold and humidity. of Manchester, will end up being a valuable opportunity to reset and recharge.
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City were expected to beat 2022 AFC Champions League winners Urawa Reds, and they did so comfortably. But there was also a hint of the old swagger returning as they completely dominated the match. In the first half alone, Guardiola's side had almost 80% possession and 13 shots, while the Urawa Reds failed to muster a single attempt.
The Japanese side barely crossed the halfway line and if City were feeling vulnerable after their recent poor run, this was the perfect antidote. It ended 3-0 – thanks to an own goal and efforts from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva – but it could easily have been five or six if City had found the motivation to get out of second gear. Perhaps just as importantly for Guardiola, it was a first clean sheet in nine games.
Fluminense will provide a sterner test on Friday, but for much of their semi-final against Al Ahly FC on Monday, the South American champions finished second. Guardiola certainly has little to fear.
“It’s the first time that Manchester City has come here,” Guardiola said. “I represent this incredible club and I'm happy to reach the final against Fluminense. It's the last step to win the title, the only title the club doesn't have, so let's go.”
The biggest question is what impact City's involvement in the competition could have on the Premier League title race. They left the UK on Saturday evening, after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, fourth in the table and five points behind leaders Arsenal.
They could be further adrift by the time they return home with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all in action this weekend, but history suggests a break from the rigors of domestic football is not the worst thing for a team in search of the title. Manchester United entered the inaugural Club World Cup in 2000 after a choppy start to the season which saw Sir Alex Ferguson's 1999 treble winner sit fourth in the table after 12 games.
United did not make it out of their group at the tournament in Brazil, but they were given the opportunity to take a break from the Premier League and upon their return, refreshed and revitalized, they cruised through the second half of the season, losing a single match and achieve 11 consecutive victories to win the title with 18 points.
City have their own history of long winning streaks and when Silva was asked at a press conference on Monday if they were still capable, the Portuguese midfielder carefully readjusted his mic and replied: “Doubt- you from us?” Although Arsenal and Liverpool appear to be viable title contenders, it would be foolish to write off a team that has won the Premier League five times in the last six years.
On Wednesday, City players will have a day off followed by a team dinner. “Being together is really important,” Guardiola said. “During the season you arrive at training and go home. Here we spend more time. In terms of training, no question. We save energy for match day. Just rest , to massage yourself and to rest well. That's the most important thing.”
City are likely to resume their Championship campaign against Everton at Goodison Park on December 27 in better shape than when they started. Rúben Dias and Julián Álvarez were both rested against the Urawa Reds while Kevin De Bruyne, who has not played since the opening weekend of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery, was able to resume training on Monday.
De Bruyne will play no role in Saudi Arabia but the Belgian is set to return. Star striker Erling Haaland has also been ruled out of the tournament, but it is hoped he will be fit to make his return against Everton.
After 10 consecutive European winners, no one would be surprised if City won the Club World Cup on Friday. But most importantly, their trip could open the door to more silverware at the end of the season.
