Rodri urged Manchester City to finish the job and make history when they face Fluminense in the Club World Cup final on Friday, admitting his side had needed to shake off a “very bad feeling in the changing room” caused by a slump in their domestic form.
The team from City dominated in the semi-final match against Urawa Red Diamonds in Jeddah, scoring three goals within the first hour. This impressive performance came just 72 hours after being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace, which placed them in fourth position in their league. They now have the opportunity to become world champions and secure their fifth title in 2023.
Rodri expressed that there is a great chance for us to achieve an outstanding victory. He stated that we have made it to the final, which was a difficult journey. Let’s give our all to secure the win. We must put in our best effort to strive for success in all aspects because it will be a significant moment in history. It would be an incredible accomplishment if we end with five titles.
Rodri mentioned that the team’s recent games have left a negative impact in the changing room, so the six-hour flight to Saudi Arabia for the tournament came at a good time. He stated that it was beneficial for the team to take a break and participate in the Club World Cup after their defeat against Palace, where they managed to recover from being two goals behind at the Etihad Stadium.
In challenging moments, there is often a mix of emotions that arise from feeling like you have not succeeded and losing points. This may be justified at times, but not always. It is a time when speaking is not productive and hard work is necessary in order to achieve results.
Pep Guardiola has stated that Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland will not be able to play in the final, despite both joining the team on their trip. De Bruyne has been out for three months due to a hamstring injury, but has started training again and will join the team tomorrow. On the other hand, Haaland is still unable to train due to a foot injury.
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During his post-game press conference, Guardiola expressed his dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitch at King Abdullah Sports City. He acknowledged the nature of the business but also took a subtle dig at Fifa. Despite the unfavorable conditions, he stated that his team will adapt and he would have preferred a better playing surface for both teams. He also emphasized the responsibility of the biggest organization in football to ensure suitable conditions for the players.
Source: theguardian.com
