Manchester City Vs Wydad AC.
Manchester City Vs Wydad AC.
Manchester City Vs Wydad AC, at Lincoln Financial Field
Kick-off: 18h00 CAT
Philadelphia—Wydad Athletics Club head coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem says he is well aware of the threat Manchester City can pose to his team but warned that his men can pull an upset against the Premier League giants when the pair face off in their Group G opening match at the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, on Wednesday.
Wydad and Manchester City are pooled in the same group in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as Italian side Juventus and UAE side club Al-Ain.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Wydad coach Benhanchem said he and his coaching staff took ample time to analysis Pep Guardiola’s side as they look forward to the match.
ALSO READ: FIFA club World Cup 2025 winners to pocket 125m
"We've dissected Pep Guardiola’s high-octane pressing. Our playbook includes strategies for seamless ball circulation, but the keystone is applying pressure and menacing them with intent. We can cause an upset," Benhachem told the media.
The Moroccan-born coach, who took charge of Wydad just days before the Club World Cup, further stressed that the tournament means so much to Moroccans and their aim is to go all the way and reach far in the competition.
"Moroccan players and clubs crave the thrill of challenges. We embrace this chance and are resolved to toil and uphold our club’s honor and go all out in the competition," he said.
Wydad brought in a host of stars to beef up their team for the tournament. They include Nordin Amrabat, whom Benhachem admires as a "leader" with great impact and Buriknabe and former Yanga forward SC Stephane Aziz Ki.
Meanwhile, Guardiola could also introduce star midfielder Rodri, who just recovered from a lengthy injury, and new signings Rayan Cherki, Tijani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri.