Manchester City eased their way into their Club World Cup campaign against Wydad AC | OneFootball

Manchester City began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-nil win over Wydad AC. It wasn’t a flawless performance from Pep Guardiola’s side, but it was filled with positives. The performances of Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden in particular did stand out. But while there were positives to take from the manner of Manchester City’s victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But what else stood out was that it was clear to see that Manchester City are easing their way into their Club World Cup campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side looks to be working their way into a competition that they are determined to win this summer.

There was a host of positives to take from Manchester City’s win over Wydad AC.

The opening 20 minutes of Manchester City’s win over Wydad AC saw Pep Guardiola’s side play with real attacking intent. They seemed determined to get at the Moroccan side at every opportunity in the games’ opening stages. There was a more direct approach to Manchester City’s possession play as they seemed intent on attacking their opponents. That style of play suited the players that Pep Guardiola had picked up front. A lineup with Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Savinho, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush in it has the potential and capabilities to get at opponents. We did get a glimpse of this in Philadelphia, particularly in the game’s opening 20 minutes.

Watch Manchester City continue their Club World Cup campaign against Al Ain on DAZN

At the back, Manchester City’s defence did keep a high line and it did help catch the quick Wydad AC attacking players offside on several occasions. Nathan Ake, in particular, was a strong component of this equation. His performance was a reminder of his quality as a player. In the case of Vitor Reis, at times, he showed why he is so highly regarded as a centre-back. On other occasions, he looked every bit a 19-year-old defender who needs to mature as a player. One moment where he got himself into an awful mess, which led to a superb save from Ederson in the first half, stood out. Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly played in the full-back positions and both had their moments. What will be interesting to see is what difference Rayan Ait-Nouri will make at left-back when he makes his debut as a Manchester City player.

Some clear areas of improvement are needed in Manchester City’s play but they will come in time.

It wasn’t a perfect Manchester City performance against Wydad AC by any stretch. Their high defensive line was caught out on occasions by the Wydad attack. This was more prevalent when Manchester City gave away possession. One instance where Rayan Cherki carelessly gave away possession in the first half stood out. There were other such instances throughout the first half. But that area of City’s play will improve as Manchester City work their way into their Club World Cup campaign.

There was also a lack of fluency in Manchester City’s possession play at times. That was to be expected playing in the heat, and with new players in Pep Guardiola’s squad. But there weren’t any real major areas of concern to come out of Manchester City’s win over Wydad AC.

Speaking after his team’s win, Pep Guardiola was pleased with his team’s performance. Although he did acknowledge his team’s errors when in possession. Dissecting his team’s win, Pep Guardiola told the media: “We had good moments, many new players and the first game in this Group Stage is always important. We started really well then after had some problems, especially when losing simple balls. When you lose simple balls, the transition is a little bit there. But I saw many good things.”

Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign continues against Al Ain.

Pep Guardiola and his team will face Al Ain in their second Group G match of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign on Sunday. They will be hoping to continue to build into the tournament following their win over Wydad AC. If they can continue to display the positive signs that were on display against Wydad AC, and tidy up their play in possession they should be able to build into their Club World Cup campaign. Pep Guardiola’s team look like a team who are easing their way into the competition which is a good sign for what lies ahead in the United States.