An international venture has offered Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City some respite given their recent domestic woes.
A change of scenery was perhaps all the Cityzens needed as they looked like their old selves in the absence of several big names in Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
That triumph means they’ll take on Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense for the right to be crowned world champions in Jeddah. City are aiming to capture their fourth title of 2023 and become the fourth Premier League side to win the Club World Cup.
Here’s how Pep Guardiola could set up his side for Friday’s final against Fluminense.
GK: Ederson – The Brazilian enjoyed a stress-free night on Tuesday and he’ll be hoping his side exudes similar control against superior opposition in the final.
CB: Kyle Walker – The City stalwart has featured heavily this season and it’d be a surprise to see him dropped for Friday’s final.
CB: Ruben Dias – Dias’ downturn in form saw him benched against Urawa, but the supreme box defender is the man you want in your backline for a final.
CB: Nathan Ake – Josko Gvardiol is yet to convince that he’s a better option than Ake, so the Dutchman deserves to keep his place in Guardiola’s back three.
CM: Rodri – The lynchpin believes this competition will put the Cityzens back on track. The Spaniard’s defensive nous will be put to the test given Fluminense’s relentless attacking rotations.
CM: John Stones – Stones is gradually returning to his best form. Having endured an injury-hit campaign so far, Guardiola needs the Englishman fit and firing for the remainder of the campaign.
RM: Phil Foden – The precocious Cityzen has been in stellar form this term, and he’s starting to garner undroppable status. He’ll interchange plenty from the right flank to occupy central areas.
AM: Bernardo Silva – The ubiquitous Bernardo will once again be his usual masterful self in Jeddah on Friday. He could see plenty of the highly-regarded Andre in the middle of the park.
AM: Matheus Nunes – There’s a potential vacancy for either Nunes or Mateo Kovacic in Friday’s lineup. Despite the latter getting on the scoresheet on Tuesday, Pep has always been an admirer of the former Sporting CP midfielder and he’s undoubtedly desperate for him to thrive.
LM: Jack Grealish – Jeremy Doku is set to miss out again which means Grealish is a shoo-in down the left flank.
ST: Julian Alvarez – Guardiola went back to his striker-less ways in the semi-final with Alvarez coming off the bench in the second half. The Argentine endured a poor run of form heading into this competition, but he could return to the lineup on Sunday in Erling Haaland’s absence.
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