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Pep hails impressive win over Juventus as City top group at Club World Cup P EP GUARDIOLA hailed a stunning performance after Manchester City thrashed Juventus 5-2 to top their group at the Club World Cup. standards of the past. After winning the Premier League for the previous four years, City failed to mount a strong title defence and exited the Champions League before the last 16.

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva (right) in action with Juventus’ Filip Kostic. – REUTERSPIC

His appearance in Orlando represented a notable step up in his comeback after three substitute outings. Guardiola said: “Sooner or later Rodri had to start. I said, ‘OK, 45 minutes’ but at half-time he said he wanted five to 10 minutes more. The game was under control. “In the last few games we have conceded a lot of transitions but it didn’t happen this time. Everyone knows how important Rodri is. He is one of the best players in the world.” After the match, Jeremy Doku heaped praise on new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri after the two combined for City opening goal. Rayan’s pass sliced open the Juventus defence to find Doku, who cut inside and fired into the bottom corner after nine minutes in Orlando. Teun Koopmeiners levelled two minutes later for Juventus before Pierre Kalulu turned into his own net to put the Cityzens back ahead. Further goals from Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho, followed by a late consolation from Dusan Vlahovic, saw City progress into the knockout stages of the competition. Rayan only signed for City from Wolverhampton Wanderers 19 days ago, but has already put in impressive showings in both appearances in the Club World Cup, and now the fullback has his first goal involvement for the Club. “Honestly, he’s a top player,” said Doku after the game as per mancity.com . “He’s settled so fast and quick, he can play inside or outside. “It’s a joy to play with him. He speaks French as well. Honestly, the connection is there. And I’m happy that he’s here with us. “I’m grateful for every opportunity that I have to be on a pitch like that, with the stadium and everything. Honestly I’m happy and I play free and I play with peace.” The Belgian winger also believes the 5-2 victory serves as a statement of intent for City. “I think so yeah (a statement win). Obviously we won the other two games but this obviously is a big team in Europe.” – The Independent/Agencies

Erling Haaland scored his 300th career goal and Rodri played 66 minutes on his first start since September as City moved through the gears at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium yesterday. City defied intense heat and a later torrential downpour to sweep aside a Juventus team that beat them 2-0 in the Champions League last season. Guardiola’s team looked more like the all

conquering outfit they have been for much of the Spaniard’s reign rather than the ponderous side that laboured through much of the 2024-25 campaign. The statement victory ensured they won Group G with a 100% record to book a last-16 clash with Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal in Orlando on Tuesday. City manager Guardiola said: “I liked the way we did it. It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side. “This is just one game but

I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. It’s the first time w e ’ v e performed the way we

can. “We won the last two but we adjusted a few things. I’m really pleased because the players realise what we have to do to get back to what we were in the last decade. “The belief always comes from your performances, not your past.” The loss of Rodri with a serious knee injury for the majority of last season was one of the key reasons for their failure to match the

Real spread their wings

Story on page 30

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