Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is getting ready for a tough test – not just from their opponent, Juventus, but also from the blazing Florida heat. His team will play Juventus on Thursday in their final group game of the Club World Cup, and it’s going to be hot — really hot! The temperature is expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius (or 91 degrees Fahrenheit) when the game kicks off at 3:00 PM local time (9:00 PM in Europe).
Both Manchester City and Juventus have already won their first two matches, which means they’ve both qualified for the next round — the round of 16. But this match is still important because the winner will take first place in the group. The team that finishes second will most likely face Real Madrid, another top team, so both teams want to avoid that and finish first.
It’s Going to Be HOT!
Because of the heat, Guardiola says he is planning to use a lot of second-half substitutions — that means bringing fresh players off the bench after halftime.
“I’m making the selection thinking about the second half,” Guardiola said. “In these conditions, we can’t play at our usual rhythm.”
Fun Soccer Fact:
In professional soccer, each team is allowed to make up to five substitutions during a game. These changes can make a huge difference, especially in hot weather or when players are tired.
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola also had a message for fans: “Bring water, hats, and towels,” he said, because it’s going to be really warm at the Camping World Stadium in Florida, where the game will be played.
This isn’t the first time heat has caused problems at the tournament. Other matches in hot and humid places have also been tough for the players.
Being Smart with the Squad
Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful and smart soccer managers in the world. He has been managing Manchester City since 2016 and has won many trophies, including the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League.
In this tournament, he has been rotating his squad, which means he’s been switching up the players who start in each game. This helps players stay fresh and avoid getting tired or injured.
However, for this game against Juventus, two players won’t be available:
Rico Lewis is suspended.
Claudio Echeverri, a young talent from Argentina, has an ankle injury and is expected to miss the rest of the tournament.
Pep Plays Beach Soccer?
Earlier in the week, a video went viral online showing Pep Guardiola playing beach soccer with some of his players. When reporters asked him about it, he said it was all part of keeping the team relaxed.
“The end of the season was so emotionally demanding,” he said. “I wanted to make sure the players had some time to relax.”
Some players even went swimming, played golf, or spent time with their families. Guardiola said it’s important to balance training with rest, especially after a long season. He also pointed out that some players didn’t even get a proper break because they had to play for their national teams right after the season ended.
Fun Soccer Fact:
After every season, some soccer players join their country’s national teams for tournaments like the Euro Cup, Copa America, or World Cup qualifiers. This means they get very little rest before the next season starts again.
“We have 11 months ahead of us,” Guardiola said. “It’s important to stay fresh and focused.”
What About Juventus?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor also spoke to the media. He said he might make a few changes to his starting line-up, but that doesn’t mean they’re not taking the match seriously.
Pep Guardiola
“We want to win,” Tudor said. “The players are motivated and eager. Everyone wants to play.”
He said it will be a serious game, even though both teams have already moved on to the next round. Tudor praised Manchester City and Guardiola, calling City “a team that has dominated for years” and Guardiola “the best coach in the world.”
Fun Soccer Fact:
Juventus is one of the most famous teams in Italy. They’ve won more Serie A titles (Italy’s top league) than any other team — over 35 times! Manchester City is currently one of the best teams in England and recently won the Premier League four times in a row, something no English team has ever done before.
Tudor added that both teams will play their own style and give everything they’ve got. “We’ll see what the final result will be,” he said.
Why This Game Still Matters
Even though both teams have qualified, this game is still very important. Why? Because finishing first in the group could mean an easier opponent in the next round. Nobody wants to face Real Madrid — a team that has won the Champions League 14 times, more than any other club in Europe.
So both Manchester City and Juventus will be trying their best, despite the heat.
Cool Strategy for Hot Conditions
Pep Guardiola’s plan to make early substitutions and let his players stay mentally fresh shows how experienced he is as a manager. He knows that to win tournaments, you need more than just skill — you need smart planning too.
Both teams are full of talented players, and fans around the world are looking forward to an exciting match. Just like Guardiola said, the key will be to “be ready to suffer” — both physically and mentally — in the tough Florida conditions.
So grab your cold drinks, wear your hat, and get ready for a clash between two of the best teams in the world. Whether you’re a Manchester City fan or cheering for Juventus, this match is sure to deliver excitement.
