City open our FIFA Club World Cup campaign on Tuesday when we tackle Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Guardiola’s side are seeking to win what would be a fifth major trophy of the calendar year following last season’s historic Treble and August’s capture of the UEFA Super Cup.
It’s the first time City have taken part in the FIFA Club World Cup.
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And addressing the media at his pre-match press conference at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, the City boss spoke of his happiness and excitement at taking part in the showpiece event
“It’s Manchester City’s first time here and it is a pleasure to be here - an honour,” Guardiola declared.
“We take it as a privilege, it’s an honour to be here. To be sitting here and play tomorrow means you have done something exceptional in the past. We have to take it, play a game tomorrow and deserve to be in the final.
“We know how hard it is to win this competition and you have to have done something special in the past, but we wanted to win against Crystal Palace.
“In the Premier League you have another game in three days, here it may be another lifetime. It’s difficult to win here and the players know this. That’s why we want to play well tomorrow.
“But to play the final we know we have to play this first final, play well to get it.”
Addressing the threat posed by Urawa in particular, the City boss also spoke of his admiration for the quality of Japanese football and the threat they will carry.
“To be in the final, first there is a tricky semi-final,” Guardiola warned.
“To see the Japanese national team they know they games and they beat Germany - look at the World Cup.
“Football in Japan grew up incredibly in the past ten years. They are sharp and quick on the transitions and unpredictable in many cases.
“I respect them a lot and of course I want to be in the final next Friday of the Club World Cup.”
Every match at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup is available to watch in the UK on TNT Sports and FIFA+. For fans outside of the UK, click here to find out how you can watch the matches in Saudi Arabia.
The official Man City app will also have free live radio commentary as part of our usual Matchday Live show that includes studio guests previewing and analysing the action.
Urawa Red Diamonds v City app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at 16:00 (UK).
In our studio, Izzy Christiansen, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joleon Lescott will complete our former blue line-up for Matchday Live to provide City-centric analysis of the game before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues on our Matchday Centre.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
