The State of Play
Manchester City can secure their first Club World Cup crown – and claim the full set of trophies available during Pep Guardiola’s reign – by beating Fluminense tomorrow.
Guardiola talked before the semi-final win over Urawa Reds of “completing the circle” at City while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss will become the first coach to win the competition four times if his team can emerge victorious.
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City have not been in great form domestically, winning just one of their last six Premier League games, and could be as many as 10 points adrift of top spot by the time they play Everton on December 27.
Fluminense beat Egyptian giants Al Ahly to earn the right to face City.
The Copa Libertadores winners boast a host of experienced players – former Real Madrid full-back Marcelo is 35, centre-half Felipe Melo is 40 and goalkeeper Fabio 43.
Add in the burgeoning talent of central midfielder Andre – a target for many of Europe’s top clubs – and they have the ability to test the Champions League winners.
Team News
City will be without Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku after the trio were omitted from the final 23-man squad for the competition. Haaland and De Bruyne have returned to training with the former hoping to be fit for the trip to Goodison in six days’ time.
Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz has no new worries and is likely to select the same side that beat Al Ahly.
The #ClubWC final awaits! 🌎🏆 pic.twitter.com/trMboA6tU0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 21, 2023
Expected Line-ups
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Fluminense: Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo, Marcelo; Andre, Martinelli; Arias, Ganso, Keno; German Cano
What they said
Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes on facing Fluminense
“My whole family is really happy that I’ll be able to play against Fluminense. They’re all Flamenguistas. I was on the books at Flamengo as a kid. I played against Fluminense many times. It’s always been a huge rivalry. I hope to enjoy the game a lot and emerge victorious.”
Fluminense centre-half Nino on the final
“I think Manchester City are the best team in the world, with a fantastic coach. We know how difficult it will be to play them. But I believe we can become world champions. I think we have everything it takes to win this title.”
When and how to watch
The game takes place at 1800 (UK time) at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. It can be watched on TNT Sports 2 from 1745 or streamed on FIFA+.
Prediction
Fluminense have a nice mix of youth and experience – and some very talented players – but City should be too strong. Even without Haaland (and De Bruyne), they will have too much for the Brazilians.
