Urawa Reds v Man City preview: Cityzens target Club World Cup final
The Japanese club now prepares for their inaugural meeting with English opposition in good form after winning three of their last four competitive matches (L1).
The reigning AFC Champions League winners have now played six CWC matches, winning four of them (L2), but two of those were positional play-offs.
Manager Macieja Skorża is bidding farewell to Urawa after this tournament, but not before he tries to get one over on opposite number Pep Guardiola for the second time.
Back in 2008, he led Wisla Kraków to a 1-0 UEFA Champions League qualifying win over Barcelona in Guardiola’s second game in charge – albeit losing the two-legged tie 4-1 on aggregate!
Manchester City have suffered a slump by their high standards, as following Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace, they’ve now won only two of their last five competitive matches (D2, L1).
Erling Haaland’s return from injury can’t come soon enough, but defensive problems are also hampering the European champions, who are without a clean sheet in eight competitive matches (W3, D4, L1).
As they prepare for their CWC debut, the Cityzens might look further afield for inspiration, as in four of the last six stagings, a team making their maiden appearance has gone on to reach the final – albeit all finishing as runners-up.
Man City are favourites to go one better than those four prior sides and win the final to add to the titles won by English clubs in 2008, 2019 and 2021.
Winning the CWC three times with two different teams, City have no better manager than Pep Guardiola to help them win their maiden CWC title.
Players to watch: Urawa’s match-winner against León, Alex Schalk, has netted each of his last three goals after the 70th minute.
Man City’s Jack Grealish has scored in three of his last four appearances, twice after the 60th minute.
Hot stat: Three of Urawa’s CWC knockout games (W3, L1) produced under 2.5 goals, as did three of Man City’s last four European knockout fixtures (W2, D2).
