Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players know what is at stake in the Club World Cup final on Friday night after a team dinner together at their luxury hotel on Wednesday....CONTINUE READING
The City squad were joined by a familiar face in Riyad Mahrez, the winger who swapped the Etihad for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer. Mahrez is based in Jeddah and joined the squad for their meal on Wednesday night.
Preperations for Friday’s final against South American champions Fluminese are stepping up today and Guardiola has analysed the Brazilian side, who are desperate to be crowned world champions in Saudi Arabia.
The Club World Cup is a competition that historically means more to South American sides than their European counterparts, but it’s a title that has been won by those entrants from Europe for the past 10 years.
But Guardiola is desperate to “close the circle”, as he called it on Monday, and win a 16th major honour in his time with City, and he’s confident his players feel the same.
“We had dinner together, we were there, it was great being together, we can’t spend five or six days all together, 24 hours, really good. Players are ready, they know how important it is, a pleasure to be here,” he said.
The sight of Mahrez amongst the squad was also a major boost for the squad of 26, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland still here despite being unable to play.
“It was a lovely night to see Riyad back, he’s living here in Jeddah, was really nice to see him, he had dinner with us, to spend time together was really cool,” said Guardiola.
“He knows, Aymeric Laporte, Cole Palmer, Gundo, they were a really incredible part of the success for many years we had. When we can see them again it’s really cool, really nice.
“Unfortunately, they have a game tomorrow but we have incredible memories, incredible love for Riyad in the locker room. A good decision for him for the last years of his career and we wish him all the best.”…CONTINUE READING>>
