Manchester City’s exit from the Club World Cup at the hands of Al Hilal on Monday marked the end of a disappointing season for Pep Guardiola’s squad. It also highlighted that Europe’s footballing giants aren’t having it all their own way in FIFA’s new tournament.
City made their way to the United States after a less-than-stellar performance both domestically and in European competitions.
During the Club World Cup, they appeared formidable, netting 13 goals and becoming the only side to win all three of their group matches.
New signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki showed glimpses of promise, yet their journey came to an unexpected halt with a 4-3 defeat in extra time against the Saudi team in Orlando.
But could this early exit ultimately serve them well in the future?
“No one wanted to lose. We’re all too familiar with the absence of holidays due to our hectic schedule,” claimed City’s Bernardo Silva to UK media following their 61st match since August.
“When we join a competition, we take it seriously, and we had lofty ambitions for this Club World Cup – victory was our goal.”
Before facing Al Hilal, Guardiola acknowledged the criticism surrounding the Club World Cup, particularly from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who had labelled the format “the worst idea ever conceived in football.”
“Come November, December, or January, it might prove to be a disaster. We’re exhausted, and the World Cup has taken its toll on us,” Guardiola reflected prior to the match.
Now, City returns home nearly two weeks before the final, a crucial window for rest.
“We would have preferred to progress further; these opportunities come only once every four years. We felt that the team was in good form, but now it’s time to recharge and clear our minds for the upcoming season,” Guardiola noted.
With over six weeks until City’s first Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16, there should be ample time for the players, including Rodri, to recuperate.
The Spanish midfielder was gradually being integrated back into the squad after missing much of last season due to injury. He came off the bench against Al Hilal but was substituted during extra time.
“We’ll need to assess Rodri’s situation. He performed well initially, but later expressed discomfort,” Guardiola shared.
Al Hilal Show Saudi Strength
Despite their exit, City will walk away with a significant sum, estimated at around $40 million, for their participation in the Club World Cup.
Their departure guarantees that one of the semi-finalists will come from outside Europe, with Al Hilal set to clash with Fluminense in the semi-finals.
Rio de Janeiro-based Fluminense joined fellow Brazilians Palmeiras in the last eight following their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph, having eliminated Inter Milan in the round of 16 on Monday.
Fluminense shouldn’t be underestimated, boasting experienced defender Thiago Silva, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, alongside Colombian winger Jhon Arias, who has emerged as one of the standout players of the tournament.
From the outset of the tournament, Brazilian teams have been favoured as potential challengers to what seemed like an inevitable European dominance.
However, the past two years have demonstrated that only a select few mega-rich clubs in the Saudi Pro League can match the financial power of Europe’s elite.
Al Hilal, based in the capital Riyadh, are among several Saudi clubs backed by the nation’s oil-funded Public Investment Fund.
They missed out on this year’s domestic championship to Al Ittihad of Jeddah but are historically regarded as Saudi Arabia’s most successful club, having qualified for the Club World Cup through their AFC Champions League victory in 2021.
Simone Inzaghi took over as their coach just ahead of the tournament, stepping in to lead a squad filled with players lured from prestigious European clubs by substantial offers.
This backdrop makes Inzaghi’s comments about needing to “scale Everest without oxygen to secure victory” seem somewhat dramatic.
Al Hilal are now likely favourites against Fluminense, setting the stage for a potential semi-final clash with Chelsea or Palmeiras.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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