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Tag: Manchester City

  • UCL: Guardiola upbeat despite Man City’s slump

    UCL: Guardiola upbeat despite Man City’s slump

    Guardiola believes  Manchester City can still achieve “very good things” this season despite their alarming run of five straight defeats.

    City host Dutch side Feyenoord in the Champions League tonight, chasing their first win in any competition since late October, but Guardiola remains bullish.

     “I have the feeling that this season we will do very good things,” he told his pre-match press conference. “I don’t give up and I have the feeling we will be there.”

     “You are defending a legacy, a tradition, a success that is so difficult to handle,” he added.

     “So, that’s why I relax. If we don’t do it, we don’t do it. It’s just to try to focus in the short period of time and win the next games.

     “So, what I want is a commitment.”

    City are already eight points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race, with a trip to Anfield looming next weekend.

    They are 10th  in the Champions League standings after two wins, a draw and a defeat in their opening four matches, and out of the League Cup.

    But Guardiola said he had no intention of changing his methods, which have brought the club four straight Premier League titles and the Champions League crown in 2023.

     “I want the players in certain departments to be more focused. What do we have to do?” he said.

     “And step by step, we come back. This too shall pass. Life is like that. When you think it’s perfect, you are wrong. It’s going to rain tomorrow. So, it’s life.”

    He added: “Right now, the most important thing is not tactics, it is to win a game on desire.

     “You look at December and at the end of the season, whether you need to change things and be more solid, but these guys will do very, very good things.”

    Guardiola has been dealing with a lengthy injury list, including midfield playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was out for many weeks after picking up a niggle in mid-September.

    The Belgian, who has made three substitute performances since his return to action earlier this month, said it had been frustrating watching the side struggle.

     “I can help the team but you can only do so much from the side,” he said. “It’s frustrating because I know if I was feeling good I could help the team but I wasn’t able to do that.”

    De Bruyne, 33, said the squad was determined to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

     “It’s been a bit chaotic I would say. I’ve seen so many people around the medical area, sports science, (you wonder) who’s playing who is not playing,” he said. “There were people who shouldn’t be playing but they did anyway with injuries.”

  • EPL: Bournemouth stun Manchester City with historic win

    EPL: Bournemouth stun Manchester City with historic win

    Antoine Semenyo and Evanlison scored as Bournemouth sealed their first-ever win against Manchester City at Vitality Stadium.

    The Cherries, in good form after picking up four points from their last two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, started quickly and full of positivity.

    Ederson was forced into a double save after just two minutes as he denied Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.

    With the tone set, Bournemouth continued to press high and they were rewarded in the ninth minute when Milos Kerkez’s cut-back from the byeline was turned in by Semenyo.

    City failed to muster an attempt on target during a largely frustrating first half.

    Bournemouth came out for the second period full of confidence and were close to doubling their lead in the first minute, but Ederson was sharply off his line to keep Evanlison’s effort out.

    Evanlison made sure with his next opportunity, though, sliding to meet Kerkez’s low ball and nestling it into the bottom corner.

    Read Also: EPL: Manchester City beat Southampton to go top of table

    The hosts should have made it three moments later but Adam Smith, presented with an open goal, blazed over the bar after Marcus Tavernier’s shot came back off the post.

    City finally registered an attempt on target in the 80th minute, albeit a tame one, with Erling Haaland struggling to get any power on his volley.

    And two minutes later, Josko Gvardiol headed beyond a despairing Mark Travers to offer hope but the Premier League champions were unable to grab an equaliser.

    The defeat means City slip to second after Liverpool came-from-behind to beat Brighton, while Bournemouth climb up to eighth.

  • EPL: Manchester City beat Southampton to go top of table

    EPL: Manchester City beat Southampton to go top of table

    Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League as Erling Haaland’s early effort proved enough to beat struggling Southampton.

    When Haaland shrugged off Jan Bednarek to turn Matheus Nunes’ fifth-minute cross beyond Saints keeper Aaron Ramsdale for his 11th league goal of the season, the visitors seemed set for a heavy defeat.

    But a combination of their own dogged defending and some poor finishing from City, with Haaland the chief culprit, ensured a few home nerves before the final whistle.

    The result extended City’s unbeaten Premier League record to 32 games. They are now only six weeks away from going a full 12 months since their last defeat, by Aston Villa on 6 December.

    Read Also: EPL: Kovacic scores twice as Manchester City beat Fulham

    Although they deserve credit for the way they battled, the result did nothing to help Southampton’s problems towards the foot of the table.

    Russell Martin’s men still only have a single point to their name almost a quarter of the way through the campaign.

    They can take solace from the knowledge that the only previous time they failed to win any of their first nine games, in 1998-99, they stayed up, but Martin needs to hope Southampton’s owners show him some patience as he looks to change the club’s fortunes following their return to the top flight.

  • EPL: Kovacic scores twice as Manchester City beat Fulham

    EPL: Kovacic scores twice as Manchester City beat Fulham

    Mateo Kovacic scored twice as Manchester City overcame a dogged Fulham to pick up a first Premier League win in three games.

    City dominated the early stages before Raul Jimenez’s outstanding backheel cross enabled Andreas Pereira to score from close range.

    Adama Traore missed two big chances either side of that – being denied by Ederson in a one-on-one and then skying a shot from inside the box.

    And City midfielder Kovacic made him pay.

    His first was a first-time effort from a half-cleared corner that went in via a deflection.

    And his second, shortly into the second half, was a much cleaner strike from the edge of the area.

    There was almost a twist, as Traore beat Kyle Walker for pace before again shooting at Ederson.

    Read Also: Guardiola won’t stop defending Man City amid financial probe

    In fact, City conceded several more chances before Jeremy Doku drifted in from the left and crashed a fantastic strike into the far top corner.

    At that stage you thought surely City were home and dry but they left substitute Rodrigo Muniz free in the box to give Fulham renewed hope late on.

    But Marco Silva’s side could not muster an equaliser.

    City are now unbeaten in 50 home games in all competitions, the fourth English top-flight side to ever manage that.

  • Man City vs. Inter: Rodri warns of strike action over crowded fixture 

    Man City vs. Inter: Rodri warns of strike action over crowded fixture 

    Manchester City midfielder Rodri has warned leading footballers could go on strike if clubs continue to face an ever-expanding schedule.

    City, the 2023 Champions League winners, face Italian giants Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium tonight, in their first match of the competition’s new league phase.

    The expanded 36-team tournament, in which all clubs play eight league fixtures, is a far cry from the original European Cup which only featured reigning national champions.

    City will also compete in an expanded Club World Cup at the end of the season.

     “Yes, I think we are close to that,” said Rodri when asked if there was a possibility of players going on strike. “If it keeps this way we will have no other option. It is something that worries us.”

    City manager Pep Guardiola was more reserved, however, saying: “We are in our first game, then the second and we will see what happens in the last games to go through.

    Read Also: Okoye propels ‘unlikely’ Udinese to top of Serie A

     “It is not necessary to look now. It’s in the future. We will see.”

    Spain star Rodri’s comments echoed those of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who said players were being ignored by football chiefs when it came to the issue of fixture congestion.

    Liverpool were  away to AC Milan  yesterday in their opening fixture.

     “Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson told reporters on Monday.

     “Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”

  • Gündogan returns to Manchester City

    Gündogan returns to Manchester City

    Manchester City have completed a deal to re-sign Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona.

    The German midfielder has signed a one-year contract to return to the club he left for the Catalan giants in 2023.

    The 33-year-old won 12 major trophies, including five Premier Leagues and the Champions League, in seven years during a hugely successful first spell at the Etihad Stadium.

    “My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” Gündogan said upon his return.

    “I grew as a person and a player, developed a special relationship with the City fans and enjoyed amazing success. It was an exceptional period in my life.

    “To have the opportunity to return here means so much. Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world.

    “Working with him every day makes you a better player. You feel constantly challenged, which for any professional is exactly what you want. I cannot wait to work with him again,“he said.

    Read Also: 82-capped Gündogan retires from German Machine

    Gündogan joined Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023 after captaining City to the treble in the final season of his first stint at the club.

    He went on to become a mainstay of the Barcelona side but financial issues at the Camp Nou have reportedly hastened his exit after just one season.

    It is thought Barcelona needed to release a high earner to allow them to register new signing Dani Olmo.

    Gündogan, who first joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, is the champions’ second signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Brazilian winger Savinho.

    He will give  Guardiola, who did not want Gündogan to leave in the first place, another option having lost forward Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Manchester City, Guardiola’s chase of history

    Manchester City, Guardiola’s chase of history

    *Man City’s win against Spurs on Tuesday night has set the stage for a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title for high-flying manager

    *Showdown with ninth placed West Ham on Sunday, last day of the season, is D-day for City and their manager

    *A win by City will make Guardiola a legend among leading managers as the first to record such a feat

    *Like him, only the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson has won the league in three consecutive seasons. Ferguson won it thrice consecutively on two occasions with Man Utd in 1998/99 – 2000/01 and 2006/07 – 2008/09

    *Guardiola will be the first to make it four if City win their last match on Sunday

    *Other managers like Wenger, Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp never won the title in three consecutive years

    *Wenger however won the league in the 2003/2004 season without Arsenal losing a match

    *Guardiola does not hold such record. City lost some matches in the seasons they won the league. They have lost thrice this season

    *At 86 points, Arsenal are close on the heels of City with 88 points. If City lose or draw on Sunday, and Arsenal win their own match against Everton, the Gunners will win the league

    *Arsenal with +61 goals’ difference have a goal advantage over City with +60 goals’ difference

    *If City win, they will garner a total of 91 points, which Arsenal cannot achieve even if they beat Everton
    Great! Will do! Got it mate.

  • Refreshed Manchester City ready to pounce

    Refreshed Manchester City ready to pounce

    Manchester City appear ominously poised to strike in the Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola welcomes back key players for today’s trip to Newcastle, while Manchester United can ill-afford another damaging defeat when Tottenham visit Old Trafford.

    City enjoyed a near-perfect festive period as they won the Club World Cup for the first time in Saudi Arabia and then took maximum points from two Premier League games on their return while their rivals stumbled.

    The defending champions are five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, but have a game in hand and are nearing a clean bill of health.

    Read Also: Crystal Palace hold Manchester City to 2-2 draw

    Kevin De Bruyne made his return after a five-month injury layoff in a 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield in the FA Cup last weekend.

    The Belgian even registered an assist for compatriot Jeremy Doku, who was also back for the first time since early December.

    Erling Haaland is also nearing a return from a foot injury that has kept the prolific Norwegian absent for City’s last eight games.

  • Crystal Palace hold Manchester City to 2-2 draw

    Crystal Palace hold Manchester City to 2-2 draw

    Manchester City‘s stuttering title defence suffered another blow as Michael Olise’s 95th-minute penalty rescued a dramatic point for Crystal Palace.

    City had led 2-0 through goals by Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis and appeared to be cruising to victory until Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled a goal back with 14 minutes remaining.

    There was more drama to come in stoppage time, when Phil Foden caught Mateta as he attempted to clear and referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot.

    Read Also: EPL: Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge

    Michael Olise stepped up to slot past Ederson and spark wild celebration among the away fans who had seen their team pegged back for much of the match.

    The draw, City’s third consecutive at home, leaves the defending champions in fourth place, three points behind leaders Liverpool.

    Palace have still only won one of their past 10 games but after losing out to a stoppage-time goal by Liverpool last week, this must have felt like a victory for Roy Hodgson’s men, and was certainly celebrated like one.

    BBCSports

  • Manchester City net record revenues, profits

    Manchester City net record revenues, profits

    After capturing their first treble last season, Manchester City said that the success was matched off the pitch with record profits, their highest ever revenue, and recognition as the most valuable soccer brand in the world.

    The club, which has been majority owned by Sheikh Mansour since August of 2008, earned revenues of 712.8 million pounds ($889.4 million) to June 2023 according to Manchester City FC Ltd.’s annual report, an increase of 99.8 million (16.3%) over the previous season, along with a record net profit of 80.4 million pounds.

    “The 2022-23 season saw Manchester City scale new heights and set new benchmarks,” City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement yesterday. “In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history.”

    City experienced growth over the previous year across all revenue streams of commercial, matchday and broadcasting.

    Commercial revenues accounted for 341.4 million pounds, followed by broadcast at 299.4 million and then matchday at 71.9 million, for a profit of 80.4 million, nearly doubling the previous year’s record profit of 41.7 million pounds.

    Matchday revenue saw an increase of 17.4 million pounds (32%) with a 99% occupancy rate at the Etihad Stadium and four more home games played across all competitions, although the average attendance of 53,249 fans over 19 Premier League games was just shy of their record of 54,130 set in 2018-19.

    Broadcasting revenues climbed by 50.4 million pounds over the previous year (20.2%), primarily due to the club reaching and winning the Champions League and FA Cup finals.

    Profits also benefited from significant player trading with 121.7 million pounds generated from transfers, up a significant 79.8% over the previous 12 months.

    City earned top spot on the Brand Finance Football 50 list with a brand value of 1.51 billion pounds, passing LaLiga side Real Madrid (1.46 billion). Manchester United were fourth at 1.36 billion.

    It marked the first time an English club had earned the number one spot since 2018 with the report citing City’s decade of dominance on the pitch and the highest revenue of any of the clubs in the report as key reasons for their rise in the rankings.

    Read Also: Awoniyi’s boss unfazed ahead of Nottingham’s clash with Manchester City

    City also topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the second consecutive year with the biggest revenues of any European soccer club, ahead of runners-up Real Madrid.

    In early 2023, City were charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of rules that required the club to provide “more financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position,” the league said in a Feb. 6 statement.

    Wednesday’s financial report addressed the charges, saying: “In February 2023, in response to the charges, the Club issued a public statement that it welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”

    On the pitch, manager Pep Guardiola guided City to a third successive Premier League title, an enthralling 2-1 FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, and a first ever Champions League title.

    The women’s team finished fourth in the Women’s Super League (WSL), but saw average attendance climb to 3,555, up 84% over the 2021-22 season.