- Manchester City take on Fluminense in the final of the Club World Cup on Friday
- Fluminense feel they have been disrespected across part of the British media
- Arsenal were a better watch last season and played riskier football BUT they have more steel now… it could take them to the title – It’s All Kicking Off
Pep Guardiola wants success at the Club World Cup to kickstart Manchester City‘s latest Premier League title defence.
Fluminense stand in the way of City becoming the first English club ever to win the five major trophies in a calendar year.
The build up to Friday’s final in Jeddah has been dominated by what the Brazilians perceive as deep disrespectful comments by sections of the UK media about the age and quality of their squad.
Guardiola insisted that Fluminense can cause City problems – but believes victory to ‘close the circle’ of silverware can help their ailing domestic form.
‘It’s a different competition but it will be a good boost for us, for Christmas time better that’s for sure,’ Guardiola said.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is urging his stars to use the Club World Cup as a ‘boost’
City are in the final on Friday and they will take on Brazilian side Fluminense over in Jeddah
‘It’s a different environment. We just have to prepare, give all we have and it’s something that remains for ever.
‘We have the Premier League this season, next season. Here, I don’t know if we’ll come back to play a final for the World Cup. We have to understand what they do, try to impose our game.’
Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku were not part of the City training session on the eve of the final, with the champions going to Everton next Wednesday.
‘Both took part in a light session earlier in the week.
City welcomed Riyad Mahrez to dinner on Wednesday night after his move to Saudi in the summer and Guardiola hopes seeing an old team mate will give his squad a lift.
Guardiola hopes winning the competition can ignite their ailing Premier League title defence
‘It was great being together,’ he added. ‘The players of course are ready. The first step we’ve done and we’re here.
‘We’ve tried to see Fluminense as much as possible. They’ve got experience, five or six players above 30 which means they can control emotions.
‘They play a typically Brazilian style. Play a lot of short passes, the physicality one on one.
‘We’ll have to be aware of how much they run in behind. They demand a lot of effort. It’s important to be precise. We’ve never faced a team that plays this way.’
