It remains to be seen just how seriously Manchester City will take next summer’s Club World Cup.
Guardiola has already hit back at regulations suggesting clubs will be pressured into bringing their so-called strongest players, while Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri have raised concerns over player welfare.
Their draw is diverse, although we don’t have to wait long to see how City fare against Group G opponents Juventus in the Champions League, tonight. Thiago Motta’s side will provide a stern test across both games.
City open their campaign against Wydad of Casablanca, the most successful and well-supported team in Morocco. Al-Ain complete the group, record winners of the United Arab Emirates Pro League, the country of which City’s owner, Sheikh Mansour, is vice-president.
They are managed by Leandro Jardim, whose Monaco side knocked Guardiola’s City out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion back in February 2017.
GO FURTHER
Club World Cup draw: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly opens tournament, Man City to face Juventus