Manchester City face a unique challenge when they play Fluminense on Friday in the Club World Cup final, City coach, Pep Guardiola has admitted.
Manchester City are looking to win the competition for the first time in their history after featuring in the tournament by virtue of winning last season’s UEFA Champions League.
City are coming into the FIFA World Cup final against Fluminense on the back of a 3-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals.
The treble winners have been dubbed tournament’s favourite and are expected to grind out a positive result on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City have not been at their best this season, and they can be quite inconsistent, with star striker Erling Haaland ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury.
However, there are sketchy reports, the Norwegian has recovered in time for the much anticipated encounter today in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, City’s opponent in todays’s final, the Copa Libertadores winners have made headlines across the world for their tactics under boss Fernando Diniz, and Guardiola – who likened them to the great Brazil teams of the past – admits City have “never faced” a side like this before.