In an exciting clash, Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds are set to face off against their European counterparts Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup. The stage is set for an epic showdown on Tuesday.
Urawa Reds managed to secure a late victory against Mexican outfit Club Leon in the second round of the competition, but not without some casualties. Full-backs Takahiro Sekine and Takahiro Akimoto were forced off with injuries, as well as winger Tomoaki Okubo. However, Dutch forward Alex Schalk came on for Okubo and scored the only goal of the game.
On the other hand, City, who earned a bye to the competition’s semi-finals, have been struggling in the Premier League title race. They have made a habit of losing points in the closing stages of matches, most recently giving up a two-goal lead at home to Crystal Palace.
Manchester City will have to put their domestic struggles to one side as they aim for their first global title to go alongside their Champions League triumph in the summer. The clash is sure to be an intense and thrilling encounter between two powerhouse teams.
Veteran goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa (left) celebrates with match-winner Alex Schalk / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
The two clubs have never faced each other in a competitive setting. Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the action live on TNT Sports 2, or stream it on the discovery+ app. Unfortunately, there is no TV channel or live stream available for Urawa Red Diamonds vs Manchester City in the United States and Canada.
As for the predicted lineups, Urawa Red Diamonds are expected to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a strong defensive setup to counter City’s attacking prowess. Meanwhile, Manchester City is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with several key players returning from injury and a top scorer eager to make his mark.
It’s been a challenging journey for Urawa in recent months, coming off a tough loss in the J League Cup final and narrowly missing out on a spot in next season’s AFC Champions League. Despite their defensive solidity, they have struggled to find the back of the net in the league.
The stage is set for an intriguing battle between Urawa Red Diamonds and Manchester City. While City may have the upper hand, Urawa’s determination and resilience cannot be underestimated. Fans can expect an enthralling match as these two teams go head-to-head in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals.
