The atmosphere was really good
Pep Guardiola shrugged the shock of Manchester City’s stunning Club World Cup defeat to Al Giral, claiming his team is in good places ahead of the new Premier League season.
Defending Champions City was beaten 4-3 in the extra time, insisting that the Saudi Arabian side would insist on a victory in the Pro League statement and undoubtedly please FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
City led early Bernardo Silva goals, but efforts from Marco Sleonardo and Malcolm strived shortly after halftime changed the game.
Erling Haaland went equal to get 2-2 and sent the game another 30 minutes.
Phil Foden cancelled Kalido Koulibery’s strong header, but Leonardo scored again, recovering Al Giral’s lead, and Bono sent the city home with a series of great saves.
“It’s a shame this was an incredible trip.”
Pep Guardiola will give his assessment after Mancity is knocked out by Al Giral 😬
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That’s a shame – Guardiola
Guardiola’s men remain ongoing work following the acquisitions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Catalan, but are disappointed by the outcome, but feel that they are on the right track.
He said: “That’s a shame. We were on an incredible trip together and in a good place. The atmosphere was really good.
“We can’t fully appreciate the players for their training and playing.
“But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot and Bono made incredible saves, but we were very open.
“We wanted to continue, it was only once every four years and we felt our team was doing well.
“But we’re back home and now it’s time to rest our minds and rest for the new season.”
It was a similar failure for a city where al-Hilal could defend deeply and then advance with counter attacks.
“In the end, we have to score and be clinical,” admitted Guardiola. “They arrived more in the transition, and they didn’t produce much in the first half, but we couldn’t finish it.
“We felt we could go through, but they punished us with the transition.”
“We wanted to show that Al-Hilal deserves to be here.”
After a thrilling victory over Manchester City, Karido Couribery said loudly.
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Climbed Everest without oxygen – Inzagi
Guardiola’s disappointment was in stark contrast to the joys shown by Al-Hilal boss Simoneinzagi just a month after suffering humiliation on the intermilan side, beaten 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
He states: “The key to this outcome was the players, the minds they put on the pitch. We knew how good Manchester City was, so we had to do something extraordinary.
“Gardiola is the best coach in the world, but tonight we did our best and deserved the outcome.”
Inzagi was refused a quick reunion with Inter, but after the Serie A side was beaten 2-0 by Fulminence.