Manchester City Defeats Juventus 5-2 in Club World Cup Orlando

Manchester City secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Juventus in their final Club World Cup group stage match, marking their third consecutive win and earning them a spot in the Round of 16 against Saudi club Al-Hilal. Following a disappointing 2024/25 season with no major trophies and a third-place Premier League finish, Pep Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his squad's commitment and performance, emphasizing that this game reminded the players what it takes to be a good team and rebuild belief. Guardiola cautioned that while it was a positive step, it was just one game and the team is not yet fully back to their best. The club has also refreshed its coaching staff, replacing three assistants, including Juanma Lillo and Carlos Vicens, with Pep Lijnders, James French, and Kolo Touré, all fluent in English to improve communication. Guardiola reflected on his legacy in football, acknowledging his significant impact but maintaining a humble and somewhat bleak view on remembrance, highlighting the fleeting nature of success and public memory. Overall, Manchester City appears poised to improve this season with new squad additions and coaching changes aimed at returning to their previous dominance.