Manchester City will make their Club World Cup debut when they host Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday. While Pep Guardiola’s team advances to the final four of the Club World Cup, Urawa had to defeat Leon of Mexico to set up a glamorous tie with the European champions.
Preview (Urawa Red Diamonds vs Manchester City)
Even before they defeated Al-Hilal in their two-leg final to win their third AFC Champions League title, Urawa Red Diamonds had already guaranteed their spot in the 2023 Club World Cup by making it to the championship game. The runners-up would have been invited instead of Saudi Pro League winners Al-Ittihad. Naturally, the Red Devils could not sit back after their continental success. They now face tournament newcomers and CONCACAF Champions League champions Leon.
The absence of a celebratory atmosphere did not deter Maciej Skorza’s team from winning. Alex Schalk scored the game’s winning goal off the bench in the 78th minute. The Dutch striker also missed a couple of opportunities to extend his team’s lead in the final minutes. Leon captain William Tesillo made things easier for Urawa by walking away from two bookable offenses. Urawa is now through to the second round of the Club World Cup after competing in the competition in 2007 and 2017 and finishing third in the first one.
Their defense of their AFC Champions League title ended in the group stage earlier this month. Victory over Leon marked just a third win from 10 games in all tournaments. Skorza’s team would have welcomed a break from domestic and continental duties for a Saudi Arabian sojourn. Although Manchester City’s situation is not exactly as bad as it seems, the Citizens have found it difficult to make the Etihad supporters happier as the days get shorter. On Saturday, they lost to Crystal Palace for the fifth time in six Premier League games. From the first whistle, Eagles manager Roy Hodgson sent every member of his team behind the ball.
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The Red Devils’ semi-final victory over Leon came at a high cost, as Takahiro Akimoto, the left back, Takahiro Sekine, the right back, and Tomoaki Okubo, the winger, were all substituted out of the match in the second half on Friday due to injuries that were not immediately apparent. Skorza is lucky to have a deep roster of full-backs right now. Former Marseille defender Hiroki Sakai recently fully recovered from a knee injury. He may be called upon to fill in for Sekine at the back. In his brief cameo on Friday, matchwinner Schalk established himself as Skorza’s first-choice replacement for Okubo. Jose Kante should also be joining him in the final third.
In addition, Man City manager Guardiola must deal with three injury issues heading into the semi-final: Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury has kept him out of action for three months, while other absentees from the draw against Palace this past weekend were Jeremy Doku (muscle) and Erik Haaland (foot). Guardiola’s traveling squad includes all three of these players, but it would be surprising if the medical staff gave De Bruyne the all-clear. Haaland should also be rested ahead of any playoff run that might take place in the final or third place, giving Julian Alvarez another chance to prove himself as City’s top scorer.
Guardiola made just one in-game substitution on Saturday, but the Catalan coach ought to feel free to make more in the semi-final to give all of Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips, and Stefan Ortega hope.
Urawa Red Diamonds 0-3 Manchester City
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