Pep Guardiola wasn’t happy with the pitch conditions in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Getty)
Pep Guardiola has bemoaned the conditions Manchester City were forced to plan in as they cruised to the Club World Cup final on Tuesday evening.
City won their semi-final against Japanese side and Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Saudi Arabia.
The Champions League winners dominated the first-half but required a slice of luck to take the lead with Marius Hoibraten turning Matheus Nunes’ cross into his own net on the stroke of half-time.
Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Bernando Silva sealed the victory before the hour mark and sets up Friday’s final against Brazil club Fluminense.
However, Guardiola was not too happy with the state of the pitch the semi-final was played on, and admitted that his side were still very tired from flying out to the Middle East straight after their draw with Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Speaking post-match, the manager was asked about how the Citizens would prepare for the final and replied: ‘Sleep, sleep, and sleep!
‘The pitch condition was not really good. But we know how that business works.
Mateo Kovacic scored Man City’s second goals against Urawa Red Diamonds (Photo: Getty)
‘Now we have to rest. They [Fluminense] had one more day. We’ll have a day off, dinner together, create an environment…
‘The players know how important it is for Man City. To be in this final you have to do incredible things, win the Champions League.
‘This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime. Tomorrow we start to watch Fluminense and try do a good performance.’
While playing in the Club World Cup, City also picked up three trophies at the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year awards – though the main prize was won by Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Off the back of their treble heroics, City were named Team of the Year, Guardiola won Coach of the Year and star striker Erling Haaland won World Sport Star of the Year.
‘Such a huge honour to have won this award. Like all coaches in every sport, the reason we’re recognised is because we won so much as a team,’ Guardiola added.
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‘Players, coaches, physios, staff, it’s thanks to all of them that I’m presented with this.
‘What the players achieved on the pitch last season, this incredible Treble, was a huge success for everyone at Man City and especially for our fans.
‘I want to thank everyone for what they did to help us achieve what we did this year.’
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City beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0.