Pep Guardiola wants his Man City stars to ignite their stuttering Premier League title defence with a ‘boost’ of winning the Club World Cup against Fluminense
- Manchester City will face Fluminense in the Club World Cup final on Friday
- Fluminense feel they are disrespected in some of the British media
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Pep Guardiola wants success at the Club World Cup to boost Manchester City's latest Premier League title defense.
Fluminense stands in the way of City becoming the first English club ever to win the five major trophies in a calendar year.
The build-up to Friday's final in Jeddah has been dominated by what the Brazilians see as deeply disrespectful comments from sections of the British media about the age and quality of their squad.
Guardiola insisted Fluminense could cause City problems but believes a win to 'close the circle of silverware' could help their ailing domestic form.
“It's a different competition but it will be a good boost for us, which is certainly better for Christmas time,” Guardiola said.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is calling on his stars to use the Club World Cup as a 'boost'
City will be in the final on Friday and will face Brazil's Fluminense in Jeddah
'It's a different environment. We just have to prepare, give it everything we have, and it's something that will last forever.
'We have the Premier League this season, next season. Here I don't know if we will come back to play a final for the World Cup. We have to understand what they are doing, try to impose our game.”
Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku were not part of City training on the eve of the final as the champions travel to Everton next Wednesday.
'Both took part in a light session earlier this week.
City welcomed Riyad Mahrez for dinner on Wednesday evening following his move to Saudi Arabia this summer and Guardiola hopes the sight of an old teammate will give his side a boost.
Guardiola hopes winning the competition can revive their ailing Premier League title defense
“It was great to be together,” he added. 'The players are of course ready for it. We have taken the first step and we are there.
'We tried to see Fluminense as much as possible. They have experience, five or six players over 30, which means they can control emotions.
'They play a typical Brazilian style. Play a lot of short passes, the physicality one on one.
“We have to be aware of how much behind they are. They require a lot of effort. It is important to be precise. We've never seen a team play like this.”