With the Club World Cup group stage concluded, it still seems early to form definitive opinions on Europe`s elite clubs. Many supposed contenders appear to be either making adjustments for the upcoming season or showing a lack of intensity, leading to significant setbacks against their Brazilian opponents. Manchester City, however, stands apart.
Pep Guardiola`s team is the sole participant to emerge from the initial phase with a perfect record of three wins from three matches. As Guardiola himself might admit, no performance in the United States thus far has been as comprehensive as their dominant 5-2 victory over Juventus.
Are Manchester City the Club World Cup favorites?
- Guardiola commented: `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. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past.`
The level of dominance City displayed was reminiscent of their peak form. They controlled 76% possession and generated 24 shots, accumulating a remarkable 3.92 expected goals. On the left flank, Jeremy Doku was devastatingly creative, and Savinho was nearly as effective on the opposite side. Rayan Ait Nouri has had a very promising start, showing tactical intelligence by varying his position between hugging the touchline and joining the midfield.
Furthermore, the return of Rodri was encouraging. It`s not surprising he didn`t quite look like the player he was before September`s ACL injury – that player was arguably the world`s best, the clear recipient of the Ballon d`Or he later won. In this outing, the Spain international passed cleanly and appeared strong in challenges. Crucially for Guardiola, Rodri`s presence meant certain defensive issues were absent.
- Guardiola stated: `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. When they`re not in a team, they`re missed.`
The City manager would be the first to insist that nothing achieved in the US can compensate for a disappointing season back at the Etihad. However, becoming world champions appears a genuinely achievable goal for this squad. Winning Group G meant avoiding Real Madrid in the Round of 16 and steering clear of the bracket containing Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. The draw has opened up favorably for City, who will face Al-Hilal in the Round of 16, followed by a challenging but certainly not insurmountable quarterfinal against either Inter Milan or Fluminense. Once again, the team coached by Guardiola looks like the one to beat on the biggest stage.
USMNT attack face a true test
After comfortably navigating the group stages, the USMNT finds itself in the Gold Cup knockout rounds facing a potentially difficult match against Costa Rica. Costa Rica, known as Los Ticos, hasn`t been spectacular in the tournament, and discounting three penalties, their offense seemed somewhat lacking in their first three games.
However, perhaps the most telling indicator of the challenge facing Mauricio Pochettino`s side is how Costa Rica performed in a 0-0 draw against Mexico. Against a team with superior attacking talent, they did what they have frequently done in recent years: defending deep and relying on Keylor Navas to make crucial saves. Their strategy paid off, with the veteran goalkeeper saving all four shots on target, while the defenders in front of him ensured Mexico`s 69% possession resulted in just 13 shots worth 1.45 expected goals. While this style wouldn`t win a league title, it`s definitely effective in a knockout format.
To overcome such stubborn resistance, the US `B` team attackers will need to connect and perform at the level they showed (mostly) in the group stage. This is the game for Malik Tillman to firmly establish himself as the key number 10 for the future, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. He appears to be the right player, working with the right coach, in a suitable system.
- According to analysis, Tillman seems like the primary beneficiary of Pochettino`s arrival, who appears to be utilizing the player in a role that could resemble Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli during the Argentine`s time at Tottenham Hotspur. This approach has been highly effective this month, with Tillman scoring three goals and providing one assist in his last five national team appearances, emerging as a breakout star of their Gold Cup run so far.
Of course, it will take more than just one player for the US to win their quarterfinal, let alone the potential subsequent match against Canada or Guatemala. Patrick Agyeman has been finding good shooting positions, while Brenden Aaronson and Diego Luna have provided creative sparks. Maintaining these performances in the quarterfinals could significantly boost their chances of securing a place in Pochettino`s World Cup plans.
