Manchester City got their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway with a win this week.
Pep Guardiola’s men were 2-0 winners over Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Wednesday, courtesy of a rejuvenated Phil Foden, which has given the Manchester club the perfect start in the United States.
Man City’s set pieces were a talking point after the game, while fans were keen to get their first glimpse of the Premier League outfit’s new signings, with Tijjani Reijnders impressing City supporters.
However, there was one moment that had many people debating after the contest, and Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have now weighed in.
Alan Shearer talking into a Champions League microphone.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree on Rico Lewis’ red card
The only blot on Man City’s win over Wydad was the red card Rico Lewis received towards the end of the match, which left Guardiola furious after the full-time whistle, as the consensus is that the booking was very harsh.
Man City fans were not happy that Lewis got sent off, and supporters of the Manchester club now have Lineker and Shearer on their side.
More Man City News
“That was ridiculous. I mean, I don’t know what you think, Alan. I mean, I thought it was utterly bonkers,” Lineker stated about Lewis’ red card on The Rest Is Football.
“I mean, he’s coming, they’re both slid in, he’s got the ball comfortably, followed through, and you can’t stop, your foot’s got to go somewhere. It was obviously a complete accident. I mean, come on, use some common sense.”
Shearer would add: “Me too. That’s what I thought. I thought exactly the same. I thought it was a bizarre decision, I mean, once you go down, and you’re in on a sliding tackle, there is no way of stopping yourself, is there? I thought it was a stupid decision.”
Man City take on Al Ain next time out in the Club World Cup, and Guardiola will be without Lewis when facing the Abu Dhabi-based club.
Rico Lewis with his arms out after getting a red card during Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
How many games will Rico Lewis miss at the FIFA Club World Cup
Lewis will miss just one match at the Club World Cup, and in hindsight, it is not that big of a deal, as Guardiola revealed after the Wydad contest that Man City plan to play with 10 new players against Al Ain.
Therefore, Lewis was unlikely to play anyway, with Matheus Nunes set to come in and take over from the 20-year-old.
The red card was a blow for the right-back, as the Club World Cup is a chance for Lewis to prove himself to Guardiola, and unfortunately, the Wydad game will now stand out.
The legendary coach’s plans for the player ahead of the 2025/26 season will become clearer as the tournament progresses, because the deeper City go, fans of the Manchester club will begin to get a better understanding of what Guardiola thinks is his best team.