Following Manchester City's unexpected 4-3 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized the need for his team to "rest minds" ahead of the next season. The loss, which occurred in extra time at Orlando's Camping World Stadium, saw City exit the competition at the Round of 16 stage.
Guardiola acknowledged the high level of competition in the tournament. Despite the disappointing result, Guardiola thanked his players and staff for their efforts throughout the competition. He noted the team's strong performance and commitment since arriving in the US. "I cannot say thank you enough to the staff, how they train and prepare, they have given everything," Guardiola stated. He also highlighted the positive aspects he observed during their four matches, particularly the relationships between players and staff.
The match against Al-Hilal was a pulsating encounter. Bernardo Silva gave Manchester City an early lead, but Al-Hilal quickly responded with two goals in the second half. Erling Haaland equalized, sending the game into extra time, where Al-Hilal scored twice more, either side of Phil Foden's goal. Marcos Leonardo's second goal of the night ultimately sealed the victory for the Saudi Arabian side. Guardiola rued missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, where Al-Hilal's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, made several crucial saves. "The only regret I have is that we allowed them to run a little bit more than expected," Guardiola said. He also emphasized the need for clinical finishing.
The defeat marks the end of a season without international silverware for Manchester City. It also adds to a troubling run for the team, who lost the FA Cup Final and were knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals this season. Despite entering the Club World Cup as heavy favorites after winning the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, City struggled defensively and failed to assert control against Al-Hilal.
Looking ahead, Guardiola stressed the importance of taking a break to refresh mentally before returning to training at the City Football Academy. "We go home and now time to rest and refresh our mind and come back next season," he said. The team will now have a chance to recharge before preparing for the challenges of the 2025/26 domestic season.
