A few Julians
Pep Guardiola’s journey reads like a crafted legend. He arrived with a method that matched the era, wearing a suit that echoed his 2009 Barcelona days, yet never seeming superstitious. There is no mysticism in his drive; only precise choices. The decisive win over Fluminense, 4-0, underscored the scale of his team’s advantage. Julián Álvarez struck twice to mirror a historic moment from 14 years earlier, proving his ability to perform across every competition. His consistency even extended to a World Cup appearance with Argentina.
What did Pep Guardiola say? @julianalvarezzz?#ClubWC | @ManCityES pic.twitter.com/jIrH6nJOR1
— FIFA World Cup (@fifaworldcup_es) December 22, 2023
Nobody missed Erling Haaland. In the climactic scene, television cameras panned to him alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Although injuries had cleared, regulations kept them from participating in the final because they were not listed in the referee’s report from the previous match. The club’s resources are abundant. Haaland sat out the ninth match, Julián Álvarez was always ready. Yet both players shared the same starting XI without ego or hesitation.
Marcelo’s incompetence
Fluminense felt the consequences of a shaky start. Marcelo, a veteran with years of top-level experience, began the pressure within the first 40 seconds. He drove into the field but was stopped by Nathan Aké, who advanced alone and struck the post. The rebound landed at Julián’s feet, and with a composed finish, he scored from a half-height chance, recalling Messi’s late strike in the 2009 World Cup final that brought Guardiola to tears.
That day closed a circle for Guardiola and Barça, a moment later matched by Bayern Munich in 2021. City carried a strong hand, yet the English Super Cup eluded them, and a penalties defeat to Arsenal added a sting to the season. Guardiola again faced Barça in 2011, disappointed by the absence of the Copa del Rey, a reminder that even great runs encounter rocky detours.
One shot
The moment belonged to Marcelo. A single shot from Fluminense, always pressing for parity. From the goalkeeper Fabio, a no-nonsense presence who shifts the mood with a few measured dribbles in the penalty area, to edge away the celestial pressure. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Marcelo in experience, and the 40-something defender watched the tide rise. When the ball found Julián, his chest control opened a clear path to goal, a simple finish that echoed a generation’s key memory.
With time, weight, and the will to emulate a preferred path, Fluminense grew at its own pace. The team’s technical discipline allowed them to escape City’s forward tempo. It never surprised the English side that a counterattack could be stifled; still, a costly error by Ederson gave Fluminense a brief lifeline, followed by a dignified header from Jhon Arias in a corner that reminded everyone of the game’s unpredictability.
WORLD CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/Nl5iKrnXBH
— FIFA World Cup (@fifaworldcup_es) December 22, 2023
The uneven pitch flanks mattered too. Dense grass and uneven markings affected both teams as they sought to showcase their legacies. Three storied clubs had previously reached this stage in the competition, with six Brazilians from Fluminense contending alongside City’s established stars. The challenge echoed past showdowns, including a reminder of Ganso’s Santos days and Guardiola’s enduring influence on the modern game.
In the end, the match underscored a simple truth: Guardiola’s City had built a squad capable of competing on every stage. The season’s narrative wove through triumphs and setbacks, a tapestry that highlighted how a manager with a clear philosophy can bring a team to the brink of immortality across multiple competitions.