Error code: %{errorCode}
Guardiola and Inzaghi set for another bumper battle
- Manchester City meet Al Hilal in the last 16 of the Club World Cup
- Blue Wave boss Simone Inzaghi is looking for his first win over Pep Guardiola
- Spaniard took City to Champions League crown at Inter's expense in 2023
In one corner, Pep Guardiola stands as a footballing icon who has changed the history of the sport in his own way. Standing in the other corner is Simone Inzaghi, an Italian coach who became one of the best in Europe during a trophy-laden spell with FC Internazionale Milano.
As well as the domestic honours, Inzaghi also led Inter to two UEFA Champions League finals in three seasons. The first one saw them come up against Guardiola's Manchester City, where they narrowly lost 1-0. They then faced Paris Saint-Germain in Munich last month, but fell to a heavy 5-0 defeat.
That Istanbul clash was the first time Inzaghi and Guardiola had met from the dugout, and what followed was a well-contested battle where Inter failed to take their chances, and City took theirs, as Rodri’s 68th-minute strike got the Citizens over the line and secured them a first-ever Champions League trophy.
Buy tickets to watch the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live
Despite falling short in that final, the experience significantly boosted Inzaghi and his side’s confidence, and they went on to dominate Serie A the following season and earn the club's 20th league crown.
The second act of the Guardiola-Inzaghi rivalry took place in the most recent Champions League campaign. During the league phase, City and Inter shared the spoils in a chess-like 0-0 draw at the Etihad. At the end of the season, following their latest Champions League final defeat, Inzaghi parted ways with the club to join Al Hilal.
Inzaghi has, unsurprisingly, had an instant impact with the Blue Wave. He led his new side to a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Real Madrid C. F. before another tie with European opposition in the shape of FC Salzburg. They booked their place in the last 16 following a deserved 2-0 win over CF Pachuca.
“I was confident, but I didn’t expect such an instant impact," he said in his pre-Manchester City press conference. "I gave my players a pat on the back but reminded them that they now have a very important game ahead. It’s moments like these that help us improve. Our aim was to be among the best 16 teams in the world. We’ll give it our absolute all out there, and we’re not planning on stopping anytime soon.
“Every coach taking their first steps in management sees Pep Guardiola as a source of inspiration. He’s truly an example to follow. I think there’s a clear distinction before and after him."
“I’m very grateful for his kind words, but it always seems like everyone who compliments me ends up beating me!” Guardiola responded with a grin. “Simone did a great job at Inter. He made it to two UEFA Champions League finals during his spell at the club, and they probably failed to win the last one because of the gruelling title race and long season they’d had. He’s currently doing a great job at Al Hilal. They’re miserly in defence, tough to break down and score against, and have some excellent players. But this is the last 16 of the Club World Cup, so I expected to be coming up against a side of their quality.
“We’re playing really well at the moment, and I’m glad the match against Juventus showed the lads we’ve still got those kinds of performances in our locker. We’ve got to carry on playing like this and churning out performances of that level."
The compliments and praise will soon make way for a blood-and-thunder clash at Orlando's Camping World Stadium, but will Inzaghi finally claim revenge over his counterpart, or will Guardiola continue his charge towards another title?
