The Club World Cup may have had a lukewarm reception in some parts during the group stages, but Manchester City did their best to kindle interest with a statement victory over Juventus on Thursday.
City’s sizzling performance in the sweltering heat of Orlando ensured the 5-2 hammering of their Italian opponents made it a flawless record in Group G, allowing them to finish top of the standings.
Pep Guardiola’s men dominated the contest from start to finish, brushing off a downpour during the first half to lay down a marker in this tournament.
The Spaniard has maintained this competition is the start of the new season rather than the continuation of the previous disappointing one and was suitably impressed by what he saw from his players.
“I liked the way we did it,” Guardiola told Dazn. “It has been a long, long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side.
“This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past.”
City ‘shook the tournament’ with performance
For the first time in eight seasons, City finished last term without a major trophy and ended third in the Premier League after having won an unprecedented four titles in a row.
But on Thursday, with 76% possession, 24 shots to five and 738 passes to 219, City took apart the 36-time Serie A champions with a performance that will make the remaining teams sit up and take notice.
City needed to win to come top and made no mistake, avoiding the half of the draw which contains Paris-St Germain and Bayern Munich.
They will face Al-Hilal in the last 16 in Orlando, Florida on Monday (Tuesday 02:00 BST), after the Saudi Arabian side finished second in Group H.
“I think City have shook the tournament tonight,” said the club’s former goalkeeper Shay Given. “People will step up and think ‘wow these [players] are the real deal again.
“I think they are going to bounce back and bounce back strong.”
Guardiola added: “We were so aggressive without the ball. Ederson made incredible long balls to Erling [Haaland]. The most important thing today is we can feel it again.
“The players felt we can compete in that way. Last season it couldn’t happen for one reason: we didn’t have players. Since day one we’ve made a step up in the rhythm and training is unbelievable.
“This is the only way to survive – win or lose. Years ago, nobody could imagine Man City at the Club World Cup. We are facing new teams and it is an honour. We want to stay here.”