Manchester City are on the verge of completing a perfect year. After achieving the treble last season, the English team will have the opportunity to add the FIFA Club World Cup to its trophy cabinet when it takes on Fluminense on Friday, December 22.
While it will be the club’s first time in this stage, Man City manager Pep Guardiola already has experience in the tournament. In fact, the Spaniard has coached in two Club World Cup finals against South American teams, winning both matches at the helm of Barcelona.
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Pep Guardiola’s two wins against Conmebol teams in Club World Cups
The first Club World Cup victory in Pep’s coaching career came in his inaugural season as a coach in 2009, when Barcelona claimed a hard-fought win against Estudiantes. Mauro Boselli had given the Libertadores champions the lead at the 37th minute, and the difference lasted almost the entire match. When it looked like the Argentine team would pull off a surprise in Abu Dhabi, Pedro Rodríguez stepped up at the 89th minute to force extra time, and Lionel Messi ended up giving Barça the edge at the 110th minute.
🔟 DAYS TO GO! 🏆🇶🇦
🌍Barcelona won their first #ClubWC title in 2009 – but they left it very, very late ⏱️
See how @_Pedro17_ and Lionel Messi broke Estudiantes' hearts in UAE 💔📽️
🏆2009: 🇦🇷 @EdelpOficial 🆚 @FCBarcelona 🇪🇸
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 1, 2019
Two years later, Guardiola won the title again, this time against a Brazilian opponent and by a bigger margin. His Barcelona were vastly superior to Santos, who suffered a 4-0 defeat with a young Neymar on the field.
🗣️ “In 2011, we outclassed Santos in the final. They had a really good team with players like Ganso and Neymar, but we had a fantastic generation led by Pep Guardiola."
🏆 As the latest edition looms, two-time #ClubWC champion Xavi reflects on a masterclass from @FCBarcelona 🤩
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 4, 2021
Curiously, Ganso also started for Peixe that night. More than a decade later, the midfielder will face Guardiola again, but this time donning the Fluminense shirt.
