'The absolute number one in the world' - Pep Guardiola hailed for role in 'writing football history' as Juventus coach Igor Tudor gears up for 'fascinating' Man City clash

Juve and City will meet in their last group stage match at the Club World Cup, and Tudor is excited to be coming up against the man he thinks is the "absolute" best coach in the world. While both teams have already secured qualification for the round of 16, Thursday's match will determine who finishes first in the group and potentially avoid Real Madrid in the next round.

Tudor spoke passionately in his pre-match press conference, praising Guardiola and City ahead of their Club World Cup group decider, telling reporters: "We will face a great team that, together with Real Madrid, has written the recent history of football. It has been the best for years, especially thanks to Guardiola, who for me is the absolute number one coach in the world. We will push to the maximum, trying to play our football. Even if we have already qualified, tomorrow we will take to the field to win because it is right that way. I have never prepared a match to draw, also because if you want to reach the final, sooner or later, you have to beat strong teams. It will be a fascinating match."

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Juve hold the edge in the battle for top spot with a superior goal tally, meaning a draw will do, while City must win to leapfrog the Italians. For Guardiola, it's another opportunity to underline City’s global dominance. And for Tudor, it’s a proving ground, a chance to show his Juventus side can go toe-to-toe with the very best.

Finishing top of Group G would, in theory, offer a more favourable path than going through as runners-up with Xabi Alonso's Madrid looming as a potential last-16 opponent.