Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca

After Man City’s transfer rampage over the past couple of months, the Boys in Blue will be hoping to kick off their 25/26 campaign with a dominant win over the Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca. I have been watching every Man City preseason video as soon as it drops, and I can sense more energy and intent from this squad. The new signings have freshened things up a bit, and the return of Rodri will no doubt give the team a morale boost. With City looking this sharp already, I am genuinely excited for what is to come, but first, the opening match of their Club World Cup campaign stands in their way.

New Faces to Feature?

Pep Guardiola often signs players because he believes they are ready for the first team immediately. These players are given little time to adapt and are expected to perform at a high level from the start, due to the club’s intense demands and the expectation to win every match. Marmoush arrived in January and immediately appeared to be Manchester City’s most impressive player. In my view, Reijnders, Aït-Nouri and Cherki will all feature, as they are likely to become regular starters once the Premier League season begins.

Cherki is highly technical, his passing can thread through the smallest of spaces. His dribbling and agility enable him to beat defenders consistently and create attacking opportunities. Reijnders will be an excellent partner for Rodri in a double pivot, capable of controlling the tempo, supporting the attack and dictating play. Aït-Nouri will provide width and attacking support on the left flank, while also offering stability in defence.

Overall, I believe all three players will start in tomorrow’s fixture.

My Predicted Starting XI

Is Guardiola Taking a Tactical Risk by Ignoring the Right-Back Position?

This season, the right-back role was one of the clear weaknesses that contributed to Manchester City’s poor run of form. The left side was partially resolved, with Gvardiol managing to impress despite playing out of position. However, Pep Guardiola continued to rely on Nunes at right-back, a player who performed well but is not a natural in that role and lacks the defensive instincts required to play it consistently at the highest level.

I was very relieved when Aït-Nouri arrived, as this not only meant that Gvardiol could return to his natural position at centre-back, but also that Manchester City would finally have a proper left-back, one who is tactically disciplined and understands the role well. With the left flank addressed and key midfield reinforcements secured, the right-back position seemed like the next area in need of strengthening.

Manchester City were linked with Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, but a reported asking price of over £75 million made the deal unfeasible. The club is now rumoured to be exploring more affordable options, such as Monaco’s 23-year-old Vanderson, valued at around £25 million.

I do not believe Manchester City can afford to enter the new season without signing a specialist right-back. If no addition is made, it would be an incredible blunder from Guardiola and the club’s board, one that could have serious tactical consequences as the season progresses.

Can Foden Find His Feet This Season?

After a stellar 2023/24 campaign, where Phil Foden was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and played a pivotal role in Manchester City's success, the 2024/25 season has presented unforeseen challenges. The demanding schedule of the previous season left him physically and mentally fatigued. He admitted that such an exhaustive calendar led to burnout, affecting both his performance and well-being. This fatigue contributed to a slow start to last season, with Foden acknowledging that he was not feeling 100% upon his return to training.

In addition to physical exhaustion, Foden faced mental fatigue, which further prevented his ability to perform at his usual high standards. He expressed frustration over not being able to showcase his abilities, despite his efforts and the support from his teammates. This period of self-doubt and recovery has been challenging for Foden, who is used to being a key figure for both Manchester City and the England national team.

But, I believe that this tournament will give Foden the perfect opportunity to prove himself to Pep and let the fans and his teammates know that he is ready to step up once more.