TheNewsGuru

Tag: Man City

  • I don’t need apology from board – Guardiola

    I don’t need apology from board – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t need an apology from the club’s hierarchy over the failed European Super League.

    The Catalan said the saga was now a ‘closed chapter’ after all six English teams withdrew from the competition.

    Chief executive Ferran Soriano did apologise to fans on Wednesday, but Guardiola says such expressions aren’t necessary.

    “I know the guys and they don’t need to apologise,” said Guardiola of Manchester City leadership after the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday.

    “My chairman and CEO, I know who they are, this is most important. … It’s a closed chapter, it’s over.”

  • Two EPL clubs to leave European Super League

    Two EPL clubs to leave European Super League

    Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City will leave the proposed Super League.

    Chelsea, whose fans protested against the planned breakaway league outside Stamford Bridge ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League match against Brighton, are understood to have changed their mind because of the overwhelming negative worldwide reaction.

    The club felt it was in danger of overshadowing all the good work they have been doing in the community on the pandemic, fighting racism and antisemitism.

    According to Sky Sports, the “totally negative reaction to ESL plans was in danger of totally overshadowing all the good work the club does in the community.

    “Chelsea made a last-minute decision last week to join the ESL. They now regret the decision and accept it was a mistake. They felt they had to ‘jump on the train because it was leaving the station’. Turned out it was a train to nowhere.”

    City have also told organisers that they do not wish to be a part of the Super League.

    The competition’s announcement on Sunday, made by 12 founding clubs – including Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham from the Premier League – was met with widespread criticism.

  • FA Cup: Chelsea end Man City’s quadruple hopes

    FA Cup: Chelsea end Man City’s quadruple hopes

    Chelsea ended Manchester City’s hopes of winning an historic quadruple as they edged a closely-fought FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

    City and Chelsea had both secured their places in the last four of the Champions League this week – but Pep Guardiola’s side had their sights set on a unique haul of four trophies as they close in on the Premier League title and also face Tottenham here in the League Cup final on 25 April.

    Chelsea had other ideas, however, and they deserved the victory given to them when Hakim Ziyech slid home Timo Werner’s pass in the 55th minute to set up an FA Cup final against either Leicester City or Southampton.

    Ziyech had a goal ruled out for offside before he scored but that was enough to beat a lethargic City, who made eight changes from their Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund and now have the added worry of the sight of Kevin De Bruyne limping off injured in the second half.

    Chelsea had a very late scare as keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga clawed away Rodri’s injury-time header but manager Thomas Tuchel can now reflect on a hugely satisfying week as his impressive start at Stamford Bridge gathers momentum.
    BBC

  • Man City through to Champions League semi-final

    Man City through to Champions League semi-final

    Manchester City are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League for only the second time after sealing victory over Borussia Dortmund in the last eight courtesy of comeback win in Germany.

    Holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg, City found themselves needing to chase the tie when 17-year-old England international Jude Bellingham curled in a superb shot from the edge of the box.

    Stung by the concession, the visitors threw everything they could muster at the German side, with Kevin de Bruyne smashing an effort off the bar before Mahrez saw a shot blocked on the line by the brilliant Bellingham.

    The crucial breakthrough for City came early in the second half as Emre Can was penalised for handling in the box and Mahrez stepped up to fire his side ahead again in the tie.

    Phil Foden sealed it, adding to the late goal he scored at the Etihad to give his side their first-leg lead with a fierce drive that found the Dortmund goal via the post.

    City will face Paris St-Germain in the semi-finals, with the French side having eliminated holders Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

    It is the first time City have reached the semis under current boss Pep Guardiola, who twice won the competition during his time as manager of Barcelona.

    Their previous appearance in the last four came in 2015-16, when they were knocked out by Monaco in Manuel Pellegrini’s final season in charge.

    The defeat likely ends Dortmund’s hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League, with them fifth in the Bundesliga, seven points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

    BBC

  • If City sign Lukaku I’ll no longer support Guardiola – Cassano

    If City sign Lukaku I’ll no longer support Guardiola – Cassano

    Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano says he’ll no longer be a fan of Pep Guardiola should Manchester City sign Romelu Lukaku.

    The former Manchester United striker has been outstanding for Serie A champions-elect Inter Milan for the past two seasons and his form has led him to being mentioned as a target for City.

    Cassano believes Lukaku isn’t suited to Guardiola’s system.

    He said, “If Guardiola takes him, I won’t support him anymore.

    “What does Lukaku have to do with his idea of the game? To increase his salary? Then they (Inter) will renew his contract.”

  • I want to end career in EPL – Man City winger

    I want to end career in EPL – Man City winger

    Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez insists he’s happy at Etihad.

    The Algeria international has been linked with Real Madrid.

    But he told Canal+: “I always wanted to play in Ligue 1 when I was with Le Havre.

    “But since I’ve been in the Premier League, I want to end up here. I love the championship, I really enjoy it. It’s football for me and I don’t see myself leaving this championship.

    “But after all, anything can happen in football.”

  • EPL: Ten-man Leeds beat Man City at Etihad

    EPL: Ten-man Leeds beat Man City at Etihad

    Stuart Dallas scored an injury-time winner as 10-man Leeds United beat runaway leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

    Dallas gave the visitors a surprise lead three minutes before the break with a low shot that went in off the inside of a post.

    However, the dismissal of skipper Liam Cooper for a tackle on Gabriel Jesus before the opening period was over appeared to have given the visitors an impossible task.

    City predictably dominated the second period but were made to wait until the 76th minute for their equaliser, when Ferran Torres drove home his first Premier League goal since December.

    Instead of City completing a triumphant comeback, however, it was Leeds who came up with the winner as Dallas ran on to Ezgjan Alioski’s through ball before sending a shot past Ederson from the edge of the area.

    It completed Leeds’ best win since their return to the top flight – and means Manchester United can cut City’s lead at the top to eight points if they win their games in hand against Tottenham and Burnley. City must take 11 points from their remaining six games to guarantee a third league title in four seasons.

  • I should be playing for Arsenal – Mahrez

    I should be playing for Arsenal – Mahrez

    Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez admits if it was up to him he’d be playing for Arsenal.

    Mahrez has revealed his frustration at being denied a move from Leicester City to ‘top team’ Arsenal in 2016.

    He told France Football: “After the title, if I’d left for a top team, it wouldn’t have been the same story.

    “For me, it’s clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25.

    “Leicester blocked me. They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving’.

    “My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.

    “It wasn’t easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation.

    “It’s not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner.”

  • Where I know my attacking can improve – Jesus

    Where I know my attacking can improve – Jesus

    Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus admits his game has much room for improvement.

    The Brazil international concedes his positioning can be better in the opposition area.

    Gabriel told Sky Sports: “I have to get more in the box, sometimes I do not get into the box, that’s why I do not score so many goals.

    “If you see the best attackers right now, they all get into the box, some of them go outside the penalty area to create and then back into the penalty area.

    “Not me, I think my football is – I go outside the penalty area, I create with my teammates and I wait for the goal. I have to put it in my head that when I enter the penalty area, then I do it to score goals.”

  • Arsenal legend ‘shocked’ Man City allowing Aguero to leave

    Arsenal legend ‘shocked’ Man City allowing Aguero to leave

    Arsenal legend Paul Merson is surprised Manchester City are allowing Sergio Aguero to leave this summer.

    The Argentina striker will depart City after ten years with the club at the end of this season.

    Merson told Sky Sports: “Legend is an expression that is used too much nowadays but Sergio Agüero is definitely a Premier League legend.

    “I am shocked by Manchester City’s decision to release him.”

    Merson added: “They have probably already pointed out a replacement that they want to recruit this summer. But they have to replace Agüero with a big player. For example, a Harry Kane, Erling Håland or Kylian Mbappé.”