Pep Guardiola repeated the importance of Phil Foden for Manchester City after the role of the playmaker in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Wydad AC at the club World Cup.
Foden scored the early more open City before he set up Jeremy Doku with an inch perfect angle in the first half.
It was the first time that England's international has scored since January, with the 25-year-old passing a difficult season 2024-25.
Foden ended the game in Philadelphia with a team of leading four shots, three of which were on goal, while he also created two chances.
And Guardiola emphasized how important Foden, who started centrally in addition to new signing sessions Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, is still on his plans.
“He will be important. Of course he will be,” Guardiola told Dazn.
“It's a different role, we have many number 10s, we have to adjust many things, but it will be step by step.”
City's victory was marred by a late red card for Rico Lewis, which was sent for catching Samuel Obeng with a boot in the face, despite winning the ball with a sliding challenge that both players went into.
“He touches the ball,” said a frustrated Guardiola.
“He never intended to do it. The referee said his foot was high, but it was in the grass, it is a natural way.
“It doesn't matter, it is what it is.”
City was barely running in the heat at Lincoln Financial Field, although Guardiola was still satisfied with what he saw.
He added: “That is why the first game is always a tricky one. We have done it really well. This is the first step, we will learn here and the second will be better.
“The season is too long, but it is important to be here. It is a lot of moisture, it is very hot, for the players to play in these circumstances. We have to understand.”
Guardiola won four times the previous format of the club World Cup, the joint for a manager next to Carlo Ancelotti.
He lifted the trophy with three different clubs, also a record: with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, with Bayern Munich in 2013 and with Man City in 2023.