Guardiola immortalized Manchester City with the Club World Cup

Until Guardiola came in 2016 and started collecting trophies: 17th in seven and a half seasons, nearly the same as in the previous 136 years (18). City had never won the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup or, of course, the Club World Cup. Guardiola had all the cups repeated. The fourth place he won at the expense of Fluminense elevates him to the most successful position in the competition. four (two at Barça, one at Bayern) and leaves Carlo Ancelotti by three points.

A few Julians

It was a simple victory for the coach, who wore a suit similar to the one in 2009 and was not superstitious. It lacks reasons. Nothing supernatural helped him beat Fluminense (4-0), The result confirming the sharp difference between both teams. Julián Álvarez equalized the immortal Pedro with two goals 14 years ago, he was capable of scoring goals in all six competitions. Not to mention the World Cup against Argentina.

Nobody missed Erling Haaland At the climax, one is reminded of television images focusing solely on him, sitting in the stands with Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Even though their injuries were over, they were prohibited from participating in the final according to the regulations because they were not included in the referee report of the previous match. The city’s resources are quite abundant. Haaland is unavailable for the ninth stint, Julián Álvarez is always ready. But mostly they coexist in the same eleven without suspicion or selfishness.

Marcelo’s incompetence

Fluminense dug his grave Marcelo’s tremendous incompetence, He is one of the most expert men in a very experienced team. The 35-year-old former white winger started shaking in City’s first pressure in 40 seconds! and took the ball into the field. He was stopped by Nathan Aké, who advanced alone and fired onto the post. The recoil fell at Julián’s feet; To put it better, at half height. He scored an open goal with his chest, imitating Messi’s shot in extra time of the 2009 World Cup final that brought tears to Guardiola.

That day, Barça and Guardiola closed the circle of the first six ever seen, equalized years later by Bayern Munich (2021). City had a poker game in their hands: they failed to qualify for the English Super Cup and lost on penalties to Arsenal. Guardiola once again played poker with Barça (2011), disappointed by the absence of the Copa del Rey.

One shot

It was Marcelo’s. One shot from Fluminense, always wanting the ball to level. From goalkeeper Fabio, a no-nonsense man who takes a few dribbles in the goal area to escape the celestial harassment. He is as experienced or more experienced than the 43-year-old Marcelo, who broke the senior record in the final and took it from defender Felipe Melo with 40 very good positions.

With the years and the weight on your back, but also because of his own will and the model he wanted to follow, Fluminense developed at its own pace. His players’ technique enabled him to escape City’s forward pressure. It never came as a surprise to the English team that the idea of ​​an impossible and unnatural counter-attack was abandoned. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t score: Ederson gave up the ball on another individual mistake. He then regained his dignity with a header from Jhon Arias in the corner.

The poor condition of the pitch, with its imperfections and dense grass, was equally detrimental. “unique” opportunity presented to both teams, They are excited to showcase their records for the first time in the competition. Three big players came before City (Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea) and six Brazilians from Fluminense. Poor Ganso, who played for Santos against Barça in the 2011 season, faced the same problem (Guardiola) and faced the same result (4-0).