Article by Maria Olteanu – published on Sunday, June 22, 2025, 14:53 / Updated on Sunday, June 22, 2025 14:54
His manager Manchester CityPep Guardiola (54 years old), praised his opponent in the second round of the group phase from the World Club Championship, Al Ain, before the match on Monday morning, from 4:00. The two teams are, in fact, owned by the same family, two brothers having control over them. Guardiola also spoke about the lot, as well as about the departures she wants to perform this summer.
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32 teams, distributed in eight groups, participate in the World Club Championship;
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The first two teams in each group qualify in “optimals”;
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The final will take place in New York, on July 13, at 10:00 pm.
The “citizens” won the first match against Wydad Casablanca with 2-0 and are currently in second place in Group G, after Juventus.
On the other side, the representative of the United Arab Emirates suffered a heavy defeat, 0-5 with Juventus.
Guardiola wants to reduce the number of players in the lot
“We have a special respect for Al Ain, due to the connection with our owners, who are from Abu Dhabi, of course, but at the same time we are offered the chance to reach the next phase. Whatever can happen, but we take this tournament very seriously,” commented the Catalan, quoted by Sportal.bg.
Subsequently, Guardiola offered several clarifications about the available players and his desire to reduce the lot so all footballers will benefit enough time to play. The former coach of Barcelona has also clarified the situation of Rodri, who will not be a holder, as speculated in the last days. “I have no news, I don't have good news. We have too many players, the lot is oversized.
We cannot enter the season with 26-27 players, because many of them will not play. For me it is not a problem to have more players to choose from, but I do not like to leave five or six people at home, if it is not because of injuries. I don't do it for me, but for them. We will see what will happen until the transfer period closes, but some of them will leave, ”explained Guardiola.
Group G ranking
