Juventus and Manchester City face off in a pivotal Group G finale at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with both teams already qualified for the round of 16. The stakes are high: the winner will top the group, likely avoiding a daunting last-16 clash against Real Madrid. Both sides are level on six points and goal difference (+8), but Juventus hold a slight edge, having scored one more goal (9 vs. City’s 8). A draw would see Juventus take first place, while City need a victory to claim the top spot.
Juventus have been in scintillating form, kicking off their Club World Cup campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Al Ain, followed by a 4-1 win over Wydad AC. Kenan Yildiz has been the standout, scoring twice and forcing an own goal against Wydad, while Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao each bagged braces against Al Ain. The Bianconeri are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions (W5, D2) and boast a strong recent head-to-head record against City, winning their last three encounters, including a 2-0 Champions League victory in December 2024.
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Manchester City, the 2023 Club World Cup champions, have also been dominant, starting with a 2-0 win over Wydad AC (despite a late red card to Rico Lewis) and following with a 6-0 rout of Al Ain, where Ilkay Gundogan scored twice, and Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb, Claudio Echeverri, and Rayan Cherki also found the net. City are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions, showing signs of gelling under Pep Guardiola despite a transitional phase with new signings.
Juventus, under Tudor, are likely to rely on defensive solidity and quick transitions, with Yildiz and Conceicao posing threats on the counter. Their ability to exploit City’s high defensive line, as seen in their Champions League win, could be key. However, the heat may limit their pressing intensity, as Tudor noted.
Manchester City, guided by Guardiola, will aim to dominate possession and stretch Juventus with their attacking depth. Haaland’s clinical finishing and Gundogan’s playmaking will be crucial, but City’s makeshift defense, without Lewis and with Rodri not fully match-fit, could be vulnerable to Juventus’ pace.
