Pep Guardiola praised Rodri’s influence on his return to Manchester City from Xi after defeating Juventus 5-2 at the Club World Cup.
City won the first place in group G with a 100% record as an overturch of the ninth minute of Jeremy Doku, a goal by Pierre Kalulu and the goals of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho saw them facilitate victory in Orlando.
Rodri started for the first time since the heartbreak of his ACL in September, with the absence of the winning golden ball for most of 2024-25 considered as a key factor behind a campaign without a trophy for the city in which they confirmed the qualification of the Champions League before the last day.
His influence was clear throughout her 66 minutes on the field, and Guardiola was efficient in his praise from the midfielder after the last dominant victory of City.
Guardiola said to Dazn, “We missed we [Rodri] Many, right?! I had the feeling last season, we had an incredible team, but we had a lot of problems; injuries, injuries, injuries.
“What team will not miss the best player in the world?!” His composure, he knows exactly what he has to do with the ball, the personality, a lot.
“I did not expect him to play as many minutes after 45 years, but he said:” A few others “, and the match was good in the second half with control, and after, ok! It will be ready for the next one!”
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Guardiola was delighted with the overall performance of City, with an Ederson error for the 11th minute equalizer of Teun Koopmeiners and the late consolation of Dusan Vlahovic for Juve, the only stains on his side.
“It’s been a long time since we have done a performance like today – with and without the ball, and the players were engaged,” added Guardiola.
“We talked about what we have to improve to be who we were in the past and happy to finish first against a high, high level that proved it in past and recent games. We are waiting for who will be our opponent.
“Listen, it’s just a match! But I think that today, more than anything, the players have still felt what we have to do to be a good team. There are no secrets more than that. It is not necessary for words or images, they played and knew it.”
The victory will probably see City avoid failing Real Madrid in the last 16. LOS BLANCOS will face Red Bull Salzburg in a Group H final, they should win to exceed this group. Salzburg and Al Hilal are the other possible opponents of the city in the next round.
