'I feel so sorry' - Pep Guardiola reveals disappointment after Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri ruled out with ankle injury

Guardiola confirmed Echeverri will be out of action for “two or three weeks” due to the setback. He was unable to train and was instead spotted on crutches along with a protective boot. The timing of the injury is a major blow, as he is likely to be ruled out for the entire Club World Cup, but should be available for pre-season ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Speaking on Echeverri's injury, Guardiola said: "Problems in the ankle, two or three weeks out unfortunately. I feel so sorry for him. We will play new players and in the next game too and in the second half. In these conditions, we are not ready to play 90 minutes and at half-time, we will make substitutions.”

City will also be without young defender Rico Lewis, who is serving the second match of a three-game suspension following a red card in the opening match against Wydad AC. Lewis was dismissed for a tackle that, while successful in winning the ball, saw him unintentionally catch an opponent in the face with his follow-through.

Originally expected to miss just one game, FIFA officials upgraded the suspension to three matches after a post-match review. Guardiola revealed that the club lodged an appeal, which was ultimately rejected.

“I don’t know who the boss is for the referees, Collina?” said Guardiola, referencing Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee.

“I am pretty sure the referees don’t know who Rico is. He is the sweetest and the kindes and sometimes as a defender you say ‘You have to be more aggressive’. It is an action, never intentional. I know the image can pretend to be but both (feet) are on the floor and unfortunately he touched the player a little bit on the lips.”

City’s next match against Juventus, to be held in Orlando, is crucial. A win would secure top spot in the group, allowing the Premier League side to bypass a potential last-16 meeting with tournament heavyweights Real Madrid.