Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his new recruits after the English champions secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in their Club World Cup opener on Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and French playmaker Rayan Cherki, both making their debuts after joining from AC Milan and Lyon respectively, impressed in sweltering afternoon heat. Guardiola reserved special praise for Reijnders, who played the full 90 minutes in midfield.
“He is a really, really good player. You feel it, you smell it. The pace, in the final third, with the ball—when he gets a little more rhythm, he will be top,” said Guardiola of the 26-year-old, who was brought in to bolster City’s midfield after Kevin De Bruyne’s departure.
Cherki, 21, started in an advanced role but was substituted after an hour as City managed the game effectively. “Kevin is difficult to replace, but Rayan has incredible skills near the box and exceptional vision,” Guardiola noted.
First-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku ensured a comfortable win for City, despite a youthful and rotated line-up. Notably, five of last season’s most-used outfield players, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Ilkay Gundogan, started on the bench. Brazilian defender Vitor Reis made only his third appearance, while Nathan Ake returned to action for the first time since February.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, another new arrival, remained an unused substitute, but Guardiola hinted at major changes for Sunday’s second Group G fixture against Al Ain in Atlanta. “The next game, 10 new players are going to be there. We’ll try to win that one too,” he said.
However, City will be without young fullback Rico Lewis, who was sent off late in the match and is now suspended.
Meanwhile, Foden, who opened the scoring and assisted Doku’s goal, is determined to bounce back after a challenging previous season. “It’s about starting strong. I’m happy to have scored and assisted. We’re all focused on going again this season and winning more trophies,” he said.
City now shift their focus to maintaining momentum in their pursuit of the Club World Cup title.
Written By Rodney Mbua
