Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola indicated on Monday that the UEFA Champions League champion does not take winning the FIFA Club World Cup for granted in its quest to complete its trophy cabinet, ahead of facing Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the semifinals.
Guardiola stated, "I am pleased to be here. It is Manchester City's first time here. We do not consider winning as a given. It is a privilege and an honor to be here." He added, "We know how difficult it is to win this tournament and that you must have done something special in the past. This is my fourth time participating in this tournament, and in previous occasions, the semifinals have been very tough and genuinely tricky every time."
Manchester City won its first Champions League title this year but has never won the FIFA Club World Cup, a title Guardiola has won twice with Barcelona and once with Bayern Munich.
