Reijnders and Savinho react after Akanji’s Man City ‘game mode’ message
Man City centre-back Manuel Akanji has sent an ominous message ahead of his side’s next outing, with teammates Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho among those to react.
The 2024/25 campaign fell well below-par for the Sky Blues, who failed to claim a major trophy as their run of four straight Premier League titles came to an end.
That had led to some suggestions that Man City manager Pep Guardiola would be far from happy that his side had to play in the Club World Cup in the USA this summer.
So far though, the tournament has proved to be a rather successful one for the Premier League club as they aim to get back on track in the hunt for silverware.
Manuel Akanji looks ahead to Al Hilal clash
On Thursday (26 June), Man City thrashed Juventus 5-2 to ensure they ended the group stage as the only club to win all three of their group games.
As a result, Guardiola‘s side cruised into the Round of 16, where they will now face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal early on Tuesday morning.
Akanji now looks to be keen to get involved in that match, after taking to Instagram to post a series of pictures from training in the build-up to that game.
That was then accompanied by a caption that read: “Smiles, sweat, and sunshine. Training wrapped – game mode loading.”
Reijnders joined Man City from AC Milan earlier this summer, and he showed his support for his new teammate by liking the post, with Savinho another member of the squad to do so.
Man City to be pleased with Club World Cup progress so far
Football Insider Verdict
Things have gone as well as they could have done for Guardiola’s side so far in this tournament, helping to rebuild some confidence and momentum.
Indeed, beating Juventus so convincingly after losing to them in the Champions League last season will feel like a welcome statement for Man City as they look to show they are back.
Not only that, but this also looks like it has been a successful exercise in integrating the key new signings into the squad, which should help at the start of the new campaign.
After the group stage, they are now surely among the favourites to win this title as well, and doing that would also provide a lift after the frustrations of recent months.
With that in mind, Man City will no doubt be happy with their involvement in this tournament as things stand, and that will no doubt remain the case providing they avoid any significant injuries going forward.