Pep Guardiola has cautioned his Manchester City team heading into the new season may suffer severe physical damage from the Club World Cup.
After easily passing the group stage as top scorers, City will meet Al Hilal in Orlando in the final 16. Their acts have displayed flashes of unity and clarity. Guardiola is not convinced, though, that the event’s timing will ultimately help his team.
Several of City’s superstars came back from overseas duty in June barely any rest before the FIFA competition started. The gaffer expressed worries as the Premier League started only one month after the Club World Cup final.
“I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious,” remarked the manager.
The Cityzens manager said he was unsure about the total toll the schedule will demand. “It could destroy us physically,” he said bluntly.
Particularly following their 5-2 victory against Juventus, Guardiola took pride in their advancement. He stated, “I’m really pleased… not just to go through, but the fact that the players can visualize, ‘oh, we can do it again’.”
Still optimistic the Etihad Stadium heavyweights can maintain their advantage, he points out their on- and off-ball intensity. Guardiola remarked, “We can be an aggressive team with the ball, without the ball.”
He knows, nevertheless, the physical burden is not something they can disregard. “After the competition, we will rest the time the Premier League allowed us to rest,” he added.
Given that Liverpool and Arsenal are not engaged in the Club World Cup, Guardiola is aware that the title battle might hinge on energy levels later on.
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