Manchester City gear up for Thursday’s showdown with Juventus intent on taking top spot and laying down a marker in a Fifa Club World Cup they believe is theirs to win.
With both sides already through to the last 16, this clash feels more strategic than celebratory. Finishing top of Group G could mean avoiding a familiar obstacle in Real Madrid – a detail neither side is likely to overlook.
City have approached the tournament as a reset, rotating heavily while maintaining intensity as they look to move past last season’s frustrations.
Juventus, meanwhile, have opted for stability, naming the same starting XI in both matches and riding strong form, with young forward Kenan Yildiz emerging as one of the standout performers of the competition.
History
Manchester City arrive in strong form, unbeaten in 14 of their past 15 matches across competitions. But when it comes to Juventus, history has rarely been on their side.
The Bianconeri have held the upper hand, winning the past three encounters, including a commanding 2–0 triumph in the Uefa Champions League group stage last December.
After that particular match, Pep Guardiola was asked about City’s passive approach in the final third – a rare critique for a side known for its attacking precision. He acknowledged the lack of cutting edge around the box.
“You think players don’t want to score? There are opponents, there are defenders, and they did great. Congratulations to them,” he said.
Since then, City have responded emphatically. They now lead the Club World Cup in shots on target, a reflection not only of a tactical shift, but of the depth and variety in their attacking options.
City cannot afford to be complacent. Sitting second in the group, they need a win to overtake the Old Lady and secure top spot. Their frustration at not scoring a seventh goal against Al Ain – which would have given them the advantage – was clear.
Guardiola, ever the pragmatist, downplayed the implications. “Well, with one more goal, we’d have two options [draw or win]. Now we have just one. Maybe it’s better,” he said.
His players, though, told a different story. Their reaction to those final moments – jumping to their feet, gesturing with every near miss – revealed a deeper urgency. This is a tournament they want to win, and they know that avoiding a tougher path through the knockout rounds could make all the difference.
How the game will fare
Juventus know they must contain Erling Haaland, but they arrive full of confidence and are unbeaten in their last seven matches – five wins and two draws.
In this tournament, their success has been shaped not just by aggression but by a clinical edge that has seen them outperform their expected goals more than any other team. Where inefficiency once defined them under Thiago Motta, efficiency now fuels their momentum under Igor Tudor.
Tactically, this match presents a fascinating clash of approaches. City will aim to dominate possession, dictate territory, and patiently disrupt Juventus’ shape through overloads and fluid rotations.
With Rodri expected to play, City should regain control in midfield, giving players like Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva the freedom to operate between the lines and unlock spaces.
Juventus are team that presses high, recovers quickly, and strikes with vertical intent. But that reputation, while earned, tells only part of the story.
Their opening goal against Wydad Casablanca offered a glimpse of the tactical sophistication that has gone largely overlooked. The move unfolded over one minute and 32 seconds of possession, featuring 25 consecutive passes, 26 touches, and involvement from 10 players.
The goal is a reminder of what Juventus are capable of and perhaps deserve greater recognition for the depth and balance they are beginning to show under Tudor.
Defensively, however, they remain less convincing. Despite the calibre of opposition, the Bianconeri have conceded more shots than expected, exposing a vulnerability that could prove costly.
City will be keen to exploit any defensive lapses, confident in the knowledge that their own back line has been the more disciplined and resilient throughout the tournament; they are yet to concede a goal.
Key men
Guardiola has recently voiced his concerns about squad size, aware that some players might struggle to log enough minutes to keep morale high. It’s not just strength in depth – it’s an embarrassment of riches.
Nevertheless, the coach is determined to put the best foot forward for the final group clash. Rodri is likely to return to the starting line-up, and all eyes will be on the Ballon d’Or winner as he looks to regain rhythm on the big stage.
For Juventus, no player has caught the eye quite like Yildiz, a talent seemingly made for the big stage. One of the few highlights in an otherwise difficult campaign last season, he blends sharp finishing with a touch of creative flair. Averaging a goal every 49 minutes in this tournament, the Old Lady will be relying on him to guide them to victory.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
Inside Palestine-Israel
Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
Our commentary on Brexit
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
While you're here
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
Company%20profile
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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How to turn your property into a holiday home
Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani