Exclusive: Pep Guardiola ready for 'big opportunity' of making Manchester City history at FIFA Club World Cup

Pep Guardiola says the FIFA Club World Cup represents a “big opportunity” for Manchester City to achieve something they have “never done before” during a busy festive period.

The Citizens face a frantic fixture schedule this week as they travel to Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports, before hosting Crystal Palace three days later.

On December 19, City begin their Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia, also live on TNT Sports, when they will face the CONCACAF or AFC Champions League holders - Mexico’s Leon or Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds - for a place in the final.

And Guardiola is eyeing more history for the Manchester club after leading them to their first Champions League crown last season.

“It’s a big opportunity for us,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.

“To play in that competition you have to win the Champions League, there is no other option to play there.

“It’s not easy and the club has never done it before. So we’re going to try to perform well.

“And after, back home and in a few days again we continue in the Premier League.”

City will discover their semi-final opponent when Leon face Urawa Red Diamonds live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ on Friday, December 15.

Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad booked a place in the second round on Tuesday by beating Auckland City 3-0, with Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante both on target.

They will face Egyptians Al Ahly next, with the winner of that tie facing Brazil’s Fluminense, the Copa Libertadores holders, in the first semi-final on December 18.

City’s semi-final clash will be live on TNT Sports on Tuesday, December 19 at 18:00 UK time.

The final takes place on Friday, December 22 with kick-off at 18:00, also live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

All seven matches of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will be live on TNT Sports, with ad-free coverage available on discovery+.

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