City clash with Abu Dhabi side with qualification potentially up for grabs
Manchester City face Al Ain in Atlanta, knowing that a win all but secures their place in the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Blues just need to beat the second lowest ranked side in the competition (behind semi professional Auckland City) after Juventus’s 4-1 win over Wydad AC.
That’s expected to be a formality for the Blues, but they must be wary of avoiding a shock, like Chelsea did at the hands of Flamengo or PSG against fellow Brazilian side Botafogo.
Here are five things to look out for in matchday two of the Club World Cup:
Plenty of changes
Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City FC gestures as he enters... Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Pep Guardiola’s pre-game comments suggest wholesale changes are in order.
Twice now, the City boss has said we’ll see “ten new players” against Al Ain. Whether this is a figure of speech or not remains to be seen, but if it’s true, it indicates that we’ll just see goalkeeper Ederson keep his place.
The likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez, Oscar Bobb, Ilkay Gundogan and Matheus Nunes all look certain to start.
Although, all of City’s recognised forward players bar the two Norwegians (Bobb and Haaland) started against Wydad, so we could see something of dysfunctional frontline perhaps including the likes of Bernardo and Claudio Echeverri.
Wide full backs
Manchester City FC v Wydad AC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
One thing I can predict with reasonable confidence is that we’ll see Matheus Nunes start at right back and Rayan Ait-Nouri make his debut at left back.
Both of these players are solid enough defenders, whilst their attacking prowess means they can essentially act as wingers when City have the ball.
This may allow the likes of Bobb and Echeverri - who I think could be in line to start on the wings - to drift inside and act as number tens in possession, which is arguably both of their preferred positions.
This could be a full back and winger tactical combination that we could see more often across this upcoming season, especially if City sign Newcastle United’s attacking full back Tino Livramento.
A start for Bobb
Manchester City FC v Wydad AC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
As mentioned above, I think we’ll see Oscar Bobb make his first start since the Community Shield last year against Al Ain.
It should be a fairly low tempo, not particularly demanding game, as I’ll explain later on down the article - the perfect opportunity for Bobb to start his first game in 10 months.
The Norwegian forward is super technically able, has a short burst of acceleration and an eye for goal too.
If he can get his momentum back for next season, he’ll be like a new signing for City along with Rodri.
Minutes for Stones and Rodri
Manchester City v Burnley FC - Premier League Photo by Copa/Getty Images
Speaking of which, I anticipate Rodri, along with John Stones, to play significant minutes against the side owned by Sheikh Mansour’s brother.
The current Ballon D’Or holder played half an hour against Wydad, and whilst he looked rusty with his passing, he showed the positioning and intuition that makes him comfortably the best holding midfielder on the planet when at his best.
Stones, meanwhile, has expressed his interest in remaining at the club next season, despite having seven centre backs in the squad at the moment.
When fit he’s arguably the best of them. This is his last real chance to break into the team, prove he can stay fit and remain at the club for longer than the one year left on his contract, if he doesn’t leave this summer.
A huge win
Manchester City v Inter Milan UEFA Champions League Final 2023 Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images
In terms of Opta Power Rankings, City are closer to Wydad than Wydad are to Al Ain. The closest English team to Al Ain in the power rankings are Lincoln City, who finished 11th last season in League One.
The Blues are firm, firm favourites and this is a great opportunity to build up fitness and momentum, and get the confidence flowing ahead of the likely knockout stages.
It should be a good game to watch from a City fan’s perspective - just a shame that it’s being broadcasted at 2am UK time!