Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, as his team aims to secure the trophy for the first time.
Despite concerns about the expanded format of the competition, Guardiola views their participation as an honour, acknowledging the privilege of being there.
Having clinched the Champions League title in June, Guardiola sees the Club World Cup as a chance to "close the circle" and complete his trophy collection with the English champions. The team is set to face Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the final against either Egypt's Al Ahly or Brazil's Fluminense.
During a pre-match press conference in Jeddah, Guardiola emphasized the exceptional achievement that brought them to the tournament and stressed the need to play well and deserve a spot in the final.
FIFA recently confirmed changes to the Club World Cup's format, expanding it to 32 teams from 2025 and extending the competition over nearly a month in the United States. Guardiola has previously voiced concerns about player welfare due to the congested schedule, expressing a desire for sufficient recovery time between seasons.
Guardiola stated, "I am not against new competitions. I am against the lack of time to recover between year by year." He highlighted the challenge of finishing a season and then rapidly restarting, particularly with additional competitions in different locations.
City midfielder Bernardo Silva supported the new Club World Cup format but raised concerns about the toll on players. While acknowledging the financial considerations for clubs, Silva emphasized the potential negative impact on the quality and intensity of matches, with players facing an increased risk of injuries.
Silva acknowledged the excitement of competing in the Club World Cup but expressed reservations about the current demanding schedule. Despite recognizing the privilege of playing at the top level, he stressed the toll it takes on players and the potential impact on the enjoyment of the game for fans.
