Manchester City delivered a masterclass in squad rotation on Wednesday night as they dispatched Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in their Club World Cup opener. The European champions, under the ever-calculating eye of Pep Guardiola, proved that depth isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity at the elite level.
First-half goals from England’s Phil Foden and Belgium’s Jeremy Doku sealed the win, but the bigger story was Guardiola’s bold trust in youth and fresh legs. Among the most impressive was 21-year-old French midfielder Rayan Cherki, a €40 million signing from Olympique Lyonnais, who brought flair and control to midfield proceedings.
The win not only marked a confident start to City’s Group G campaign but also highlighted their post-treble rebuilding process — following what many saw as a “quiet” 2023/24 season without silverware.
“We are pretty pleased with what we saw today,” Guardiola told reporters after the match. “New players, new positions, guys who haven’t played in months. It’s about giving them minutes so they can find rhythm. Next match? Expect ten fresh legs on the pitch.”
With over £110 million spent in the summer and additional reinforcements added in January, Guardiola’s side is undergoing a delicate transition — balancing the weight of expectation with the need to evolve tactically and psychologically.
“It’s a thin line,” Guardiola reflected. “This is both a high-stakes tournament and a chance to recalibrate. The level was okay today. But we’re here to improve — and win.”
City’s next clash in the Club World Cup promises more rotation and more tactical experimentation as they look to add yet another trophy to their ever-growing cabinet — and remind the world that a quiet season doesn’t mean they’ve lost their voice.
