Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that the club could be ‘in big trouble’ after key duo, Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker hobbled off injured in their Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were substituted against Atletico Madrid as a result of injuries.The match, expected to be hugely physical encounter did not disappoint as Diego Simeone’s side, famed for their use of football’s dark arts were once again at it, and the City duo came out of the clash as casualties.Premier League club Manchester City held on…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka says players and fans need to treat each other with more “honesty and respect” after admitting he was close to leaving the London club because of the “pure hate” he received from the fans in the incidence of 2019.Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)In an exclusive interview with Players’ Tribune, the former Borussia Moenchenglabach man said his “bags were packed” shortly after an angry confrontation with his own fans in October 2019.”When I close my eyes now, I can still see their faces. I can see their anger,” he told the Players’ Tribune in a recent…
It is no surprise that Chelsea’s return to form coincides with the time of the decision to let the German lead the line. This has indeed improved both the club’s performance and the players contributions, leaving fans pleased with the £71 million acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen.Kai Havertz has become Chelsea’s main man in attack. Photo Credits: Premier LeagueFast disappearing from memories are the days when fans feel disgusted whenever Kai Havertz is spotted in the starting XI. The 22 year old is rapidly becoming fans favourite at the Bridge after less than 24 months he joined from the Bundesliga, then,…
Even before the last edition was handed out to Lionel Messi, there were people routing for the Frenchman to get the award after his stellar season with Real Madrid and remarkable return to the French National team.Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)Karim Benzema, 33, helped France to the UEFA Nations League success where they beat Spain in the final on the back of the season he had with Madrid. Though they finished second in La Liga, behind champions Atletico Madrid and also lost out to Chelsea in the semi final of the champions league, it was obvious the striker had…
Not one of the ground you want to be to overcome a two goal deficit – infact, in the entire history of Real Madrid, only Ajax has ever eliminated Los Blancos from the Champions League after losing the first leg at home.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesIn 2019 when Ajax achieved this feat, it was obvious the Dutch side have everything going their way on the night and not forgoing the fact that Real Madrid let complacent overshadow their will to progress into the last eight of the competition then.Even so, Sergio Ramos took a needless booking in the first leg…
Diego Simeone might be the one manager mostly impacted negatively by the scrapping of away goal rule in the Champions League as he is a man renowned for his defensive minded tactics which has paid dividends for his side in the past in the competition.Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesThe Argentine has benefitted from the rule, helped him eliminate the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the past as just a goal proved enough for progression as long as they defend well and not concede goals at home.However with that rule no longer in use, the manager and his disciples…
Chelsea looked down and out after Real Madrid thrashed them 3-1 at the Stamford Bridge stadium in the first leg of their two legged Champions League quater final meeting last Wednesday thanks to a Karim Benzema hat-trick.Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty ImagesThe Blues, on the back of a 4-1 demolition in the hands of Brentford could not help themselves from falling to back to back defeats after Karim Benzema’s early strikes put the visitors in the driving seat on the night.Kai Havertz managed to pull one back just before half time but again, Karim Benzema was to complete his hat-trick, pouncing…
Chelsea travel to the Saint Mary’s to face Southampton on the back of consecutive home defeats. The Blues are currently going down the curve after the last weekend’s 4-1 loss to Brentford was followed by another humiliation in the Champions League by Real Madrid.Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)Thomas Tuchel saw his side, who were on a six games winning run in the league capitulated to a lowly Brentford, whom themselves had won three in 13 before facing Chelsea, a run which included a six consecutive losses.Despite taking an early lead in the second half, Chelsea never had the…
The part leg of the much anticipated Jollof derby double-header between Nigeria and Ghana for a place in the FIFA World Cup laster this year in Qatar ended on a disappointing note for both sides, but the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be more relieved that they left Kumasi unscratched as it was the Black Stars who are the better side on the night.Credits: Nigeria Super EaglesDeputizing for the injured Maduka Okoye in goal, Francis Uzohor proved the hero for the Eagles on the night as he was equal to the Ghanian’s threats when called upon. He did brilliantly well…
It’s been over three years since Jose Mourinho was shown the exit door at Manchester United for the poor performances of the team and since then, it is obvious that the club has not fared better than they did with the Portuguese.Credits: Dave Thompson/ Getty ImagesEver since Sir Alex Ferguson retirement, former Porto manager Mourinho has appeared the best they have appointed and after even he could not satisfy their urge for success, and same has been the fate of those that have come before and after the outspoken boss.At first, it always appeared as though the problems has been…