Pep delighted with 'incredibly good' City win | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola hailed the manner of City’s performance after a brilliant 5-2 win over Juventus in Orlando sealed top spot in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup.

In a game that featured first searing heat and humidity and then a torrential Florida downpour, goals from Jeremy Doku, a Pierre Kalulu own goal, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho made it three wins out of the three.

Our reward is a last 16 clash – again at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium in the early hours of next Tuesday – against either Real Madrid, RB Salzburg or Al Hilal with the winners and runners up in Group H to be determined later on Thursday

Delighted as he was with what was a hugely impressive win against the Italian giants, for the boss the way City got the job done gave him even greater satisfaction.

WATCH: Highlights: Juventus 2-5 City

“Today was more or less a final, so we talked about that,” Pep stressed.

“The first target was to qualify, but we never know who will finish first or second. It’s how we play every game to win it. Today we did it, that’s what I’m pleased about.

“Our performance was incredibly good.

“I was really pleased because the most important thing is the players have to realise they need to back what they did the last decade.

“Last season we had an incredible squad but 50% of the players were injured.

“We couldn’t compete and this season we’re going to try to maintain this rhythm as long as possible.

“We were so incredibly aggressive without the ball and with it sometimes quicker. Ederson was an incredible quarter back today, making long balls and then we had the patience to be calm.

“We’d already qualified, so to go through, you have to beat the best teams, you can play them before or after.

“Most important thing is that we can do it again. I had the feeling the players felt I don't have to tell them, they felt we can compete like we have in last decade.

“Last season it couldn't happen because we had no players. Today we had two incredible centre backs and four on the bench, last year we had one. That’s why we struggled, we couldn’t train, but now with Pep (Lijnders) James (French), Kolo (Toure) we make a step up in training.

“This is the only way to survive in Premier League, Europe, in all the competitions.

WATCH: Doku: 'I'm playing with peace and freedom!'

“Twelve years ago never, in the world would you expect City in the Club World Cup. We played in the mid table, now we are facing the elite teams it’s an honour.

“We want to face every game with this rhythm. Fair enough, if we play with that rhythm and win or lose it’s fine, you can’t win everything, but you have to refine yourself, again.

“We want to win but the important thing is to connect ourselves like last season.”

On a day filled with positives aplenty with Rodri chalking up his first start since last September, it also saw Erling Haaland strike soon after coming on as second half substitute to chalk up his 300th career goal for club and country.

It was just the latest remarkable statistic registered by the Norwegian and one that left his manager purring with satisfaction.

“All I can say is congratulations, 300 goals at 24, this is quite good right?” Pep smiled.

“Hopefully he can do it, this manager was an incredible football player, you didn’t see me, you were too young, but I scored 11 in 11 years, imagine that situation!

“I admire a lot the good strikers.

“So happy for Erling, being involved in the goal again and being involved in short spaces.”