Manchester City began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday, with manager Pep Guardiola praising the impact of new signings Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki.
Played under intense heat at the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, the Group G match saw immediate contributions from City’s fresh additions.
Dutch midfielder Reijnders, signed from AC Milan, and French attacker Cherki, brought in from Lyon, were both handed starting roles.
“He is a really, really good player. You feel it, you smell it. The pace, in the final third, with the ball, when he will get a little bit more rhythm, he will be top,” Guardiola said of Reijnders, 26, who completed the full match.
Cherki, 21, who is seen as a creative replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, played for an hour before being substituted.
“Of course Kevin is difficult to replace, we know that, for the quality that he has,”
“There is no doubt about that but at the same time the club decided on Rayan because he has incredible skills close to the box, incredible vision, many things,”
“This was just the first game, in really tough conditions, and I am really pleased he is here.” Guardiola stated.
Goals from Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku in the first half secured the win for the Premier League champions. The match also featured a return for Nathan Ake, making his first appearance since February, and a rare third outing for 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, who signed with City in January.
“We had new players, players playing in different positions. Vitor Reis played a really good game, Nathan Ake was three, four or five months without playing, so many players we needed to give them minutes,”
“The next game 10 new players (are) going to be there and we will try to win the next one.” Guardiola said.
New signing Rayan Ait-Nouri was an unused substitute, while Rico Lewis will miss the next game against Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday due to a late red card.
Foden, who scored the opener and assisted Doku for the second goal, said he is determined to bounce back after a disappointing previous season.
“Obviously last season wasn’t the best for me so I put it in my head to start the season strong and I am happy today that I managed to score and get an assist and help the team win,”
“Last season was a bit rough for all of us but it is about trying to go again this season, with the new signings to help us, and trying to win trophies again.” Foden said.
—
