Manchester City won't take Fluminense lightly in Club World Cup final

Fifa Club World Cup opponents Fluminense will throw up a challenge Manchester City have never faced before when they face off in the final in Jeddah on Friday, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

The two teams, both debuting this week in the global tournament, go head-to-head at King Abdullah Sports City in a bid to create history by securing a first Club World Cup trophy.

City, the English and European champions, start as heavy favourites against their South American counterparts, even though they will contest the showpiece without star duo Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. The pair remain unavailable as they continue their recoveries from injury.

However, asked on Thursday about the perception that City are far superior to Fluminense – an article in an English newspaper referred to the Brazilians as a side fit for the country’s annual charity match "Soccer Aid" - Guardiola countered: "I'm not going to talk for a second about what the press said about tomorrow's game. I know Fluminense's talent and how much the competition means for South American teams.”

Fluminense sealed a spot at the tournament in Saudi Arabia last month, when they won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history.

SAUDI ARABIA SOCCER

The Sao Paulo side have a number of hugely experienced players in their squad, such as 40-year-old Felipe Melo, who represented the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus, and Marcelo, the 35-year-old full-back who won four Club World Cup crowns during his trophy-laden 14 years with Real Madrid.

“I know exactly the talent and the quality of Fluminense and what they can do,” Guardiola said. “They have beaten teams from Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay [to get here]. I know my players and respect them for