JAKARTA - Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his players had the opportunity to remember how good the team felt when they beat Juventus 5-2 in the final match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group phase, Friday, June 27, 2025, early morning WIB.
Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Savinho, and Pierre Kalulu's own goal helped The Citizens beat the Serie A team at the Camping World Stadium and claim the top position of Group G.
The result against the Italian giant also made Pep Guardiola confident that Manchester City, which is feared to be back.
You see, Manchester City arrived in the United States after a bad season. However, the performance against Juventus was the first clue that they might return to their best form.
"I like the way we do it. We haven't performed like this in a long time when we controlled and didn't have the ball."
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"The players are committed and we are happy to be able to beat the top team. It's just one game, but I think the players are feeling back how it feels to be a good team. Confidence always comes from your performance, not your past," said Guardiola.
Manchester City went through a campaign at the 2025 Club World Cup convincingly. They beat Wydad AC 2-0 before submerging Al Ain 6-0.
Against Juventus for the Group G title fight, Guardiola chose a stronger troop, including giving Rodri a chance to start after nine months of absence from a knee injury.
Manchester City have so far been a better team and should have scored more goals as they prepare for the last 16 match in Orlando on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, morning WIB.
They are scheduled to meet Saudi Arabia's Pro League club, Al Hilal, in the round of 16.
"The players feel for the first time in a very long time performing as they should."
"The previous two games we won, but in a win against Juventus, we adjusted a few things and looked really good."
"The audience is strong and again has had a tremendous impact like the first two games."
"I'm very happy because the most important thing is that the players have to realize what we have to do to be like we did in the last decade."
"I feel that last season we had an amazing squad and team. However, 50 percent of our players were injured."
"So, it means we are slumped and unable to compete. This season we will try to maintain this rhythm as long as possible," said Guardiola.
Meanwhile, in the match against Juventus, Haaland came on as a substitute in the first half to replace Omar Marmoush.
It took him seven minutes to score his 300th career goals for clubs and the country.
"I'm just asking Erling to take the first action and there's no more intensity than that. However, it has to be an engine, we have to support it."
"Sometimes, he plays and we don't play, but today we play, whatever happens."
"All I can say is congratulations. He has scored 300 goals at the age of 24. I really admire the attackers. I am very happy for Erling, his goals and his involvement in a narrow space. Very good," said Guardiola.
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