Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool and counting, Premier League defending champions Manchester City have been off-the-pace across all competitions this season and their slump in form has been worsened by the long-term absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. As such, they’re open to acquiring midfield acquisitions next month and beyond, with several lucrative names being linked. Continue reading “Missing Rodri and out-of-sorts, City linked with Wirtz, Guimaraes and Zubimendi”
They trailed early for the second time in consecutive weeks and fourth already this campaign, yet Pep Guardiola’s defending champion Manchester City found a way to break Wolves’ hearts with a John Stones stoppage-time winner hours before Liverpool doused Chelsea’s encouraging start despite suffering more injury woes as the Premier League’s pacesetters intensified this weekend. Continue reading “Gutsy 2-1 victories for leaders Liverpool, champs City say it all in early title race”
Spanish reports claim Manchester City are ready to activate the €60m (£50.2m) release clause for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in January, while Torino’s Samuele Ricci and Porto’s Alan Varela are among the alternatives being suggested as versatile centre-back John Stones has publicly insisted this past week he can fill in for the Euro 2024 champion after ACL and meniscus surgery.
Continue reading “City search for January addition, many linked after Rodri’s season-ending injury”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola publicly revealed the belief his side could be in trouble after John Stones’ latest injury setback, during their 3-0 home Champions League group stage win over BSC Young Boys on Tuesday. The 29-year-old England international recently returned to action last month after hip and hamstring issues, but could be sidelined again with a muscular complaint. Continue reading “Guardiola fears another lengthy John Stones absence after Young Boys victory”
Two seasons and 742 days after being an unused substitute, watching from the dugout in Porto as his teammates were sucker punched by a savvy Chelsea side in their maiden Champions League Final, Rodri secured their treble-winning season with a second-half winner as Manchester City at long last seized the one trophy that has eluded their grasp against a wasteful Inter showing in Istanbul. Continue reading “Manchester City 1-0 Inter: Rodri’s strike secures Champions League glory, at last”
Erling Haaland became the second Manchester City player to score a brace on his Premier League debut, after now-retired legendary striker Sergio Aguero did so during a memorable substitute appearance against Swansea in 2011. The 22-year-old’s first foray in England’s top-tier was predictably devastating away at West Ham yesterday, but eyes will be on the encore.
Continue reading “Haaland haunts Hammers as defending champs City preview life with Norwegian leading their line”
Despite Manchester City’s initial dominance in the early exchanges, this game lived up to the billing: contentious officiating, big moments, goals aplenty before a goal-saving block in a second-half frenzy – finely poised and still could’ve swung either way until the final whistle. Continue reading “Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City: de Bruyne douses Reds’ hearts in thrilling second-half”
A stoppage-time equaliser courtesy of substitute Rodrigo broke Swedish hearts to secure Spain’s place at Euro 2020 next summer, while maintaining their unbeaten record with two qualifying fixtures still to play. Continue reading “Sweden 1-1 Spain: 3 Talking Points”
There was certainly a gulf in class on display at the Principality Stadium, as Luis Enrique’s Spain side cruised to a 4-1 victory over Wales on Thursday evening. It proved a useful warm-up fixture ahead of their UEFA Nations League game against England in midweek, though the visitors were keen to rotate their squad. Continue reading “Wales 1-4 Spain: 5 Hits and Flops”
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