Rico Lewis being shown a red card. (Image: Getty Images)
Rico Lewis was left "fuming" after receiving a red card in Manchester City's Club World Cup debut. The England defender was dismissed for a slide tackle on Wydad substitute Samuel Obeng, who ended up with a chin wound from the challenge. Lewis is now facing an automatic one-match ban, which FIFA can extend according to competition regulations.
Team-mate Nico O'Reilly remarked: "Rico is just fuming with the decision because none of us believe it was the right decision." Highlighting the contentious nature of the incident, O'Reilly added: "I think he slid in first and then their player slid in second. He's tried to move his leg out of the way and accidentally caught him. I think it was the wrong decision."
For his part, Obeng commented: "It's not my decision but I think it's a possible red card because it wasn't with intention to put his boot in my face but he touched it with his boot after the action."
Meanwhile, Phil Foden shined as man of the match, contributing a goal and an assist, expressing a newfound vigour following a challenging season. Yet the England international noted that, despite the excitement, contract negotiations have not commenced even though only two years remain on his existing deal.
Reflecting on his form, Foden stated: "It was a difficult season, I'm not going to lie. It was not the best. I got a little bit of time off, rested. Yeah, new start, new me."
Rico Lewis in deep conversation with Pep Guardiola. (Image: Getty Images)
Discussing his renewed mindset, Foden added: "The hunger inside me is back and I want to prove people wrong. We want to try and put last year behind us and get back to how we used to. So, the determination is definitely there."
Foden has remarked that the City squad has been keeping a close eye on their rivals in the competition, pegging Paris Saint-Germain as the favourites.
"PSG, just the way they play at the moment. They seem to be the benchmark, from what I've seen up to now," Foden revealed, adding that contract negotiations haven't commenced yet.
"I've not heard nothing. We'll see what happens."