Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes his team will face a tough challenge against Al Hilal in the round of 16 of the ongoing Club World Cup.
With both teams set to clash on Tuesday, Guardiola expressed his respect for the Saudi Arabian side, citing their experience and quality players. “If they compete against Real Madrid how they competed it’s because they are a good team,” Guardiola said.
The Spanish tactician highlighted the significant improvement in the Saudi league over the past two to three years, noting that Al Hilal is not the only team with quality players.
“The last two or three years the Saudi league has improved incredibly. Not just Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, there are plenty of teams that have quality players,” he said. Guardiola specifically mentioned some of Al Hilal’s key players, including Joao Cancelo, Milinkovic-Savic, and Neves, praising their quality with the ball.
Despite his concerns about Al Hilal’s strength, Guardiola emphasized that his main focus has been on ensuring his own team is consistent and recognizable. “At the same time, the last two days I have been most concerned about looking at my team and being consistent. This is the main target. Being recognisable for ourselves and the future,” he explained.
Guardiola’s comments reflect the competitive nature of the Club World Cup and the growing strength of teams from the Saudi league. As Manchester City prepares to face Al Hilal, the team’s consistency and strategy will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
The upcoming match between Manchester City and Al Hilal promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to make a strong impression in the Club World Cup. With Guardiola’s guidance, Manchester City will aim to overcome the challenge posed by Al Hilal and progress to the next stage of the competition.