In their pursuit of securing their maiden Club World Cup title, Manchester City is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. Manager Pep Guardiola revealed that the team has extensively reviewed footage of their Brazilian adversary, Fluminense, aiming to familiarize themselves with the unfamiliar playing style of the South American team. This meticulous preparation underscores City’s determination to claim the coveted trophy.
However, Manchester City faces significant challenges leading up to the final showdown. A notable setback is the absence of Erling Haaland, their top striker and a pivotal figure in their attacking lineup. Despite traveling with the team to Saudi Arabia, Haaland’s lingering foot injury has kept him sidelined for City’s recent fixtures, including their commanding 3-0 victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals. Guardiola emphasized that Haaland’s absence isn’t just felt due to his injury; even if fit, tournament regulations render him ineligible for further participation.
Recent performances further highlight City’s vulnerabilities. The team’s lackluster form in the Premier League, marked by a solitary win in their last six outings, has seen them slip to the fourth position in the domestic league standings. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, Manchester City remains the front-runner in the Club World Cup final, poised to clinch a title that has eluded them thus far.
“We try in the hours after (our last) game to see Fluminense as much as possible, looking at the quality they have,” Guardiola informed reporters on Thursday in Jeddah.
“They have five, six or seven players more than 30-years-old so that means they can control their emotions perfectly.”
“They play a typical Brazilian style from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Lots of short passes, combining really good, but also physically demanding. We have to be aware how much they run behind the ball, and be resilient in (handling) that.”
“The way they play demands a lot of effort (from us). The way they play we have never faced before. They move a lot from side to side, so we have to impose our own rhythm and possession game as much as possible.”
Guardiola, ever the strategist, pinpointed emotional control as a pivotal factor for victory. Recognizing the magnitude of the occasion, he has instilled in his players the significance of maintaining composure and focus. Winning the Club World Cup, according to Guardiola, presents a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, and the players are acutely aware of the historical weight that this match carries.
“How do you play a Club World Cup final without emotion?” Guardiola stated. “Emotion is there, it’s how you handle it. It’s there. It’s how long it stays in your mind. That’s the big target in finals.”
‘The players are ready and know how important it is. As I have said before, what a pleasure it is to be here,” stayed the Spaniard, adding the team enjoyed a rare dinner together on Wednesday evening.
Kyle Walker, a stalwart in City’s defense, echoed this sentiment, expressing that a triumph on Friday would culminate a spectacular 12-month period during which Manchester City clinched an array of prestigious titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup.
“I have experienced a lot of career highs, (but) it would top off what we did last season winning the treble as a group of lads that have spent a lot of years together working towards the right direction,” the 33-year-old said.
“It would be on par with one of my greatest achievements.”
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