Pep Guardiola has admitted that winning the Club World Cup will not compensate for Manchester City’s underwhelming 2024-25 season.
BBC SPORT
Pep Guardiola has admitted that winning the Club World Cup will not compensate for Manchester City’s underwhelming 2024-25 season.
City failed to secure a major trophy for the first time in eight years, finishing third in the Premier League, exiting early from the Champions League, and losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.
“I said many times, the season was not good,” Guardiola told reporters. “The disappointment was the Champions League… it was tough to handle it.”
City are currently in the United States for the revamped Club World Cup and could secure knockout qualification with a win over Al-Ain.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is considering trimming his 27-man squad.
“We cannot go with 26, 27 players this season… step by step maybe a few players are going to move,” he said.
Al-Ain manager Vladimir Ivic said his side will “give the maximum” in their clash, aiming to “show themselves the best way.”