Guardiola says heat means players must be “ready to suffer” ahead of Juventus shock

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that his players must “be ready to suffer” in the heat ahead of his Club Cup confrontation against Juventus Clubs.

City and Juve have collected the highest points of their two games opening and both teams will be in the first Group G to avoid a possible match with Real Madrid in Ronda 16.

Guardiola’s side does not yet have to grant a goal to the competition after the comfortable victories of Wydad AC (2-0) and Ain (6-0) and played their last game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Atlanta Air Conditioner.

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The heat and the humidity have been a prevailing point of discussion throughout the tournament, and the head of the city believes that the conditions in Orlando will present an added challenge against the old woman.

“The heat is obvious,” Guardiola said. “We cannot change it.

“My advice to people is to bring a lot of water, hats and towels for the necks because I think it will be difficult.

“Everyone complains about the weather, but that’s what it is.”

Guardiola also revealed that Erdlaudio, 19, Echeverri, who marked a free sublime in victory over Ain, will leave at least a fortnight with an ankle injury and probably will lose the rest of the tournament.

“He (Echeverri) has some problems with the ankle,” said Guardiola.

The main Catalan coach has so far chosen two different teams for the first two games and also confirmed that he would do the same against Juventus.

Asked that the winner of Ballon d’Or Rodri would present from the beginning, in what would be his first since he injured his ACL against Arsenal at the beginning of last season, Guardiola said that the Spanish midfielder would play some role in the game.

“Rodri can play,” he added. “Of course, not for 90 minutes, but the last 30 or 35 minutes.

“It has been taking a step forward in the last three or four days. I had no trouble and black, sometimes you have it. We are happy to be able to add -minutes.”