Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Wydad Athletic following his side’s 2-0 Club World Cup win over the Botola Pro 1 side on Wednesday.
The Premier League outfit scored at either end of the first half as Phil Foden hit the target with two minutes played before Jeremy Doku slotted home with 42 minutes of the match played.
But it wasn’t all one-way traffic at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia as Wydad created a number of good attacking opportunities.
Thembinkosi Lorch received widespread praise for his display that included sending City keeper Ederson scrambling to keep out a first-half effort and playing in Cassius Mailula for Wydad’s best chance of the tie.
Guardiola, though, first of all lauded Wydad goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid. He said on iDiski Times: “First of all, the keeper has incredible delivery in the three-quarter positions, so they defend five in the back, 5-4-1, which I didn’t expect because they always play four at the back, but when we allowed them to play that had good quality.
“We had our moments, many chances, clear ones, they had one or two chances, so in general, with the conditions, I give credit to both teams, sometimes we demand more aggression, more movement, but it’s not easy with this weather, but yeah, first three points.”
City are next in action against Al Ain on Monday. The United Arab Emirates side lost to Italian giants Juventus 5-0 on Wednesday.
“It’s important, so now there’s the second one, win the next one and be qualified, then we see if we can be first or second [in the group], we need to improve things, which is normal with all these players,” said the City boss.
