Man City faces Juventus today in their final Group G match. Both teams have already qualified for the round of 16 with 6 points each, but Man City currently sits second due to an inferior goal difference. A win against the Italian side is crucial for Man City to secure the top spot.
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Manager Pep Guardiola during a Man City training session before the match against Juventus in the final Group G match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Photo: Reuters |
Manager Pep Guardiola during a Man City training session before the match against Juventus in the final Group G match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Photo: Reuters
Temperatures at Camping World Stadium in Florida are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius during today's match, a concern for Guardiola. "I will choose the lineup with the second half in mind, because in these conditions we cannot play at our usual tempo," he stated in the pre-match press conference.
The Spanish manager acknowledged that Man City can't complain, as all teams face the same conditions. He advised fans and journalists to bring water, hats, and towels to the stadium.
In Man City's 2-0 opening victory against Wydad, Rico Lewis received a straight red card and a three-match ban, ruling him out for the rest of the group stage and the round of 16. Guardiola expressed his frustration, sarcastically stating, "If FIFA wants to show seriousness, fine. I accept it."
With the tournament occurring immediately after the regular season, Guardiola has prioritized player rest. On 24/6, he held a training session on the beach near the team's hotel in Boca Raton. "The end of last season was emotionally intense," he explained. "Things weren't the best in terms of consistency and results. We need to let the players relax during their downtime. If they want to play golf, go swimming, or spend time with their families on their day off - let them - otherwise it will be very difficult mentally."
Rodri, who missed most of last season, played the final 30 minutes in both the 2-0 win against Wydad and the 6-0 victory against Al Ain. However, Guardiola confirmed the Spanish midfielder isn't ready for a full 90 minutes. "Rodri is improving. In the last three or four days, he hasn't experienced the minor issues he sometimes faces. That's normal after a long period out of action," the Man City manager said.
Rodri himself admitted it will take a few months to return to top form, emphasizing his focus on staying positive, focused, and strong.
The 29-year-old midfielder has previously criticized the demanding match schedule and its negative impact on players. However, he now views the revamped FIFA Club World Cup as an opportunity to regain match fitness and prepare for the 2025-2026 season.
"If this tournament didn't exist, I would be on vacation," Rodri said. "But for me personally, this is a great opportunity to return to the highest level and compete in a tournament we've never played before. The idea is fantastic, and I'm very excited. You can see the differences between clubs from all over the world."
Hong Duy (The Guardian)
