Pep Guardiola praised two of his new signatures while Manchester City won a 6-0 victory against Al-Ain at the Club World Cup.
City was far too strong for their opponents of the United Arab Emirates with two goals from Ilkay Gundogan opening the way to a victory that sees the Premier League team qualify for the final of 16.
Claudio Echeverri, Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki were also on the target during a satisfactory evening for Guardiola in Atlanta.
🎥 The Golazoooo Echeverri – from all angles!
Look at him @Fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Each game | Free | https://t.co/i0k4eutwwb | #Fifacwc #TO COOKTHEWORLD #Mcain pic.twitter.com/3v4w658dif
– Dazn Football (@Daznfootball) June 23, 2025
Guardiola highlights Echeverri’s work ethics
The Catalan has reserved special praise for Echeverri, which has wounded in a wonderful free kick, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, whose presence on the left flank gave City an additional dimension.
“Since his arrival and [in] The three or four months with us, at the end of the training sessions, he practiced free kicks with the goalkeeper, Wall and alone, “said Guardiola about Argentina Echeverri, who signed for City in January 2024 but stayed in River Plate for another year.
“The others did not practice. He practiced and trained and the work is paying.
“Fantastic objective and incredible player. He could not continue after half-time due to a problem with the ankle, but the free kick was really good.”
WOW – Guardiola in admiration
Ait-Nouri joined City de Wolves for 31 million pounds Sterling before the tournament and was intended to fill the problematic rear place with Etihad.
Guardiola used the half-center Josko Gvardiol and the young midfielder Nico O’Reilly in this position for a large part of last season, but now has a specialist in the team.
Invited to assess the complete beginnings of Algeria, Guardiola said: “Wow. He had to defend a rear four, then make a rear five. He played really, really good, not for the first time.
“It was his first game, but he played in the Premier League for many years.
“He can help us play in this role outside, but then had to play as a midfielder and go to the pockets. It moves very well in the spaces.
“He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so intelligent in the last third, making the right decisions to create more spaces. Really satisfied with the game he played.”
Gundogan bag a splint 😤#Fifacwc | Live on https://t.co/qhe6dsco2t pic.twitter.com/2kh02vgbt7
– Manchester City (@Mancity) June 23, 2025
Gundogan ages strengthens his case for the city’s stay
Guardiola has already described her intention to work with a small team this season with Jack Grenish and Kyle Walker not selected to go to the United States.
And after strengthening his midfielder with Tijjani Reijnders and Nico González – as well as Rodri returned from an ACL injury – there was that Gundogan could leave this summer.
The German was linked to Galatasaray but is impatient to stay.
He said, “I have a one -year contract and I am very happy here. I think everyone knows.
“And I am involved in competition, and I appreciate my football. I always think I have several years in me [of being able] To play at the highest level by taking good care of me. I think I proved it.
“Last season, I didn’t miss a match, so I’m available. I’m in good shape. I feel really good and I want to play at the highest level longer.”
City will face Juventus Thursday in a match that will determine which team wins the G group and potentially avoid Real Madrid in the last 16.
Gundogan added: “We need a good performance against Juve to win the game. We have always known that and that will not change the way we approach.”
