3️⃣ things we learned from Man City’s dismantling of Juventus | OneFootball

Manchester City produced a statement 5–2 victory over Juventus in their final Group G match of the Club World Cup on Thursday, wrapping up the group stage with three wins.

Jérémy Doku opened the scoring early doors, followed by a Teun Koopmeiners equaliser after a rare Ederson mistake.

Before half-time, a Pierre Kalulu own goal put City back in front and in the second half, substitute Erling Haaland scored from close range.

Another substitute in Phil Foden added a fourth before Savinho thundered home a goal of the season contender to put City firmly in control.

Juventus grabbed a late consolation through Dusan Vlahović, but it was too little too late as the Italian club’s defensive issues had already been laid bare.

Here are three things we learned:

1. City’s squad depth and tactical rotation shone

Pep Guardiola’s rotation - reintroducing Rodri in midfield and using Haaland as a second‑half weapon - paid off spectacularly. Rodri’s presence restored control and cohesion, while Haaland’s 45‑minute cameo produced his 300th career goal just six minutes into the second half.

Also off the bench, it took Foden just a matter of minutes to make his mark on the game as he rifled home City’s fourth of the game. The celebrations from Guardiola and his backroom staff after each goal flew in proves they knew they got their substitutions spot on.

2. Clinical pressing & fluid attacking across the front line

City was - to put it bluntly - absolutely relentless.

They pressed Juventus and crafted chances through varied sources , whether it was Doku, Foden, or Savinho, while they even forced an own goal.

Multiple creators - Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan  Aït‑Nouri - combined to carve Juventus open, while the team’s physical and mental clarity under heat, humidity and even heavy rain was impressive.

3. Juventus’ defensive frailties brutally exposed

Despite a respectable spell early on, Juventus’ backline disconnected disastrously.

Every mistake and mis-pass was punished, and they conceded an own goal under minimal pressure, highlighting lapses in concentration.

The press-based tactics offered no remedy to City's second-half dominance.

Up next…

City will ride this momentum into the last 16, where they'll face the runners-up from Group H on Tuesday 1 July in Orlando.

Juventus, who advance as group runners-up, also progress to the knockouts and are due to meet the winners of Group H.

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors