As the football week progresses, significant matches are on the horizon. The U.S. Men`s and Women`s National Teams are set for action, while the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stages are about to commence.
Are Manchester City the Club World Cup Favorites?
Following the conclusion of the Club World Cup group stage, it`s still early to definitively judge most top European teams, many of whom seem focused on integrating new players or lack intensity, often struggling against their Brazilian opponents. However, Manchester City stands out. Pep Guardiola`s team is the only one to win all three of their initial matches, delivering the most convincing performance with a dominant 5-2 victory over Juventus.
Manager Pep Guardiola commented on the team`s performance, stating it was their best in a long time, both with and without the ball. He emphasized the players` commitment and satisfaction in beating a top side, adding that such performances build belief.
City`s display mirrored their past dominance, controlling possession with 76% and generating numerous chances, tallying 24 shots with a high expected goals value. Jeremy Doku and Savinho were highly effective on the wings, while Rayan Ait Nouri showed promising tactical intelligence by varying his position.
The return of midfielder Rodri was also a positive sign. Although perhaps not yet at the peak form that saw him win the Ballon d`Or after a serious injury, he contributed with accurate passing and physical strength.
Guardiola highlighted Rodri`s importance, noting that with him back, they avoided conceding counter-attacks, which had been an issue in recent games. He called Rodri one of the world`s best players, whose absence is keenly felt.
While Guardiola would caution against reading too much into preseason results, winning the Club World Cup appears a realistic goal. By finishing top of their group, City avoided a tough match against Real Madrid early on and are in the half of the bracket without strong contenders like Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Their path involves a match against Al-Hilal, followed by a potentially challenging but manageable quarterfinal against Inter Milan or Fluminense. This positioning suggests Manchester City is currently the team to beat in the tournament.
USMNT Attack Tested by Costa Rica Defense
Having advanced through the Gold Cup group stages relatively smoothly, the USMNT faces a potentially difficult quarterfinal against Costa Rica. Los Ticos haven`t been particularly impressive offensively in the tournament so far, especially if penalties are excluded.
However, Costa Rica`s goalless draw against Mexico is revealing. Facing a more skilled attacking side, they adopted their familiar tactic of defending deep and relying on veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. This strategy worked, with Navas making crucial saves and the defense limiting Mexico`s opportunities despite their high possession. This approach might not win a league, but it can certainly be effective in knockout matches.
To break down such determined defense, the USMNT`s attacking players will need to perform as they mostly did in the group stage. This is a crucial game for Malik Tillman to solidify his position as the leading attacking midfielder (number 10) with the World Cup in mind.
Football analyst Pardeep Cattry suggests that Tillman appears to be benefiting significantly from manager Mauricio Pochettino`s system, potentially being deployed in a role similar to Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli under Pochettino at Tottenham. Tillman has been effective this month, contributing three goals and one assist in his last five national team appearances, emerging as a standout player in the Gold Cup.
Naturally, success in the quarterfinal and potentially the following tie against Canada or Guatemala will require contributions beyond just one player. Patrick Agyeman has been getting into good shooting positions, while Brenden Aaronson and Diego Luna have provided creative sparks. Continuing this form in the quarterfinals could significantly boost their chances of securing a place in Pochettino`s future World Cup squad plans.
