Category: Sports

This particular run of seven games will define City’s season on all four fronts – losing twice against Real means their trophy prospects have been reduced to three.

That could be down to two on Sunday with a huge clash against the Gunners, who are hungry to rid their tags of ‘nearly men’ by ending a trophy drought which stretches back to 2020.

“On Monday [after Carabao Cup final] hopefully we will wake up and it is a sunny day,” said Guardiola. “It is not crucial, it is a football game, we are going to try to win with a good performance.

“We will challenge against the best team in England so far, the best team in Europe because look at their results in the group phase, they were first and have lost three or four games all season. We will challenge them and we have to see how we are competing against them.”

City were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at relegation strugglers West Ham, which has left them nine points off the pace in the Premier League with eight games to go – and a monumental effort is required to overturn that particular deficit.

And the FA Cup is no formality either, with City hosting rivals Liverpool in the quarter-final on Saturday 4 April after the international break, with league games immediately after against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Guardiola said: “After one or two weeks, we play against them in the Premier League and it is a good mirror to see what we have to do to achieve [like] them. I am old enough to see that one football game is not the big happiness or a loss is the end of the world, it’s just a game.

“In the end, the results have not been good except Newcastle but I have the feeling we are an extraordinary team with many, many, many good things that I love.

“We are still not complete, we are not aware in certain moments and departments, we have to be more clinical but my feeling is it is a question of time.”

Rice and Zubimendi are one of the key partnerships in the Arsenal team.

The pair run the midfield and their importance has risen with captain Martin Odegaard’s injury issues this season.

Both midfielders were given a rare rest in the win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round but with crunch games coming thick and fast, their availability is going to be key.

They provide a solid base in front of the Arsenal back four and Rice’s running power and ability to be effective at both ends of the pitch were on show again during the win over Leverkusen.

“He was immense,” Arteta said. “Him and the whole team. I just mentioned that, the soul of the team.

“The manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show in every action is remarkable. And doing it every three days at that level is so difficult.”

That sentiment was matched by former Arsenal defender Matt Upson speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I don’t think Declan Rice gets much of a break, he features in nearly every game and keeps churning out the performance. It’s pretty remarkable stuff, physically, he’s an absolute machine,” said Upson.

Arteta’s side are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and through to the same stage of the FA Cup.

Arsenal have not won a trophy for six years and have a chance to end that drought against Manchester City on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

“We need to be up for it. We have the momentum at the minute,” added Rice.

“Every time we play, we have the momentum and feel like we can win. When we go to Wembley, everyone will be behind us and we’ll be ready.

“There’s no time to think about what’s going on, we just keep playing matches. The more you keep winning, the more the energy stays high and you enjoy it.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season following the Blues’ Champions League exit to Paris St-Germain.

Chelsea lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday having suffered a 5-2 defeat in last week’s first leg.

Fernandez joined Chelsea for what was a British record transfer fee of 121m euro (£107m) in January 2023 and has played more than 150 games for the club.

But asked by ESPN if he would be with the club next season, he said: “I don’t know, there are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.”

Fernandez, who has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, scoring 12 goals and making six assists, was replaced after 60 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

“I think we failed to control the game. In the first leg, we lost focus in the final 15 minutes and conceded three goals, and here it happened at the very start,” added Fernandez, who captained the side in Reece James’ absence.

“At this level, you can’t concede two goals so quickly because of small details. Ultimately, over the two legs, PSG were the better side and deserve to go through.

“Since I arrived at Chelsea, we have already passed through similar situations and we were able to turn them around.

“Now, our focus must be on winning the FA Cup and achieving our goal of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.”

Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January in a match which was overshadowed when the Senegalese players refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

However, that result has now been overturned after a decision by an appeal board at African football’s governing body.

A statement from Caf said that Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.

The decision follows an appeal by Moroccan FA (FRMF) which Caf said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.

Caf added that “through the conduct of its team” Senegal infringed on Article 82 of regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations and as a result Article 84 became applicable.

Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Articles 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

A statement from FRMF said that their decision to appeal the final result was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” but was a request for the “application of the competition’s regulations”.

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions,” the FRMF statement added.

“It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football.”

The Senegalese Football Federation has yet to comment but a video was posted on the X account of their men’s national team, external of their players celebrating on a bus parade with the Afcon trophy and an ‘OK’ emoji.

This fairytale run to the knockouts will have felt unlikely for Bodo/Glimt after failing to win their first six league phase games, meaning they were left needing results against Manchester City and Atletico to qualify for the play-offs.

And, against the odds, they provided them.

A 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s men brought deserved attention and acclaim, but it was no one-off as Bodo overcame Atleti 2-1 in Madrid to claim a play-off spot.

Knutsen’s side lost to Spurs in the Europa League semi-finals last season, having become the first Norwegian side to reach the last four of a major European competition.

Key to their success has often been their ability to make their home games as tough as possible.

In the north of Norway, Bodo can often be bitterly cold, snowy and windy during the long winter months, with temperatures deep into minus figures.

The difficult weather conditions mean the team play on an artificial pitch made of plastic, something many sides used to playing on grass find difficult to deal with.

Those aspects, coupled with the players’ determination and strong belief in their ability, means many have left Bodo defeated.

They thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 at home in the Conference League five years ago, while Celtic, Besiktas, Porto and Lazio have also been victims in recent years.

Bodo exit the Champions League having won their past three home games – seeing off Manchester City, Inter Milan and Sporting – and will look to their home record to serve them well once more when they next play European football.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven says it is “the biggest nonsense” to suggest the club’s players do not care about the team’s current plight.

Spurs are a point above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th with eight matches of the season left to play after a difficult campaign.

It has led to questions over the whether Tottenham‘s squad are already thinking about their own futures beyond the current season.

But Van de Ven gave a passionate defence of their commitment to the Spurs cause on the eve of the second leg of Tottenham‘s Champions League last-16 tie at home to Atletico Madrid.

“It’s the biggest nonsense,” the Netherlands centre-back told a news conference.

“Trust me – those involved on the pitch, the staff and the players – they care so much about the situation we are in right now.

“We just want to turn things around and that’s the main focus for everyone. If reports say guys don’t care anymore it’s just frustrating for our guys.”

Spurs trail Atletico 5-2 from the first leg in Madrid following a club record sixth-straight loss before they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Van de Ven said suggestions that Spurs players are not bothered by their predicament “brings so much more trouble” because supporters are “starting to believe” them.

“The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he’s probably going to leave and doesn’t care about the situation they’re in,” added the 24-year-old Dutchman.

“People are just making things up. The only thing I can say about it is it’s not true.”

Spurs will be without midfielder Joao Palhinha for the tie with Atletico as he continues to recover from concussion.

Captain Cristian Romero, who clashed heads with Palhinha in the first leg, will be available to play while left-back Destiny Udogie and midfielder Lucas Bergvall are fit enough for the bench after hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Head coach Arne Slot says he “must have done a lot of things wrong” for Liverpool fans to be “frustrated” at their recent form.

Liverpool were booed off on Sunday after conceding a 90th-minute equaliser to Tottenham in a 1-1 draw.

Despite winning the Premier League less than 12 months ago, the Reds’ style of play and a string of disappointing results have led to discontent among the fanbase.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said it will be “really difficult” for Slot to win back the support of fans.

Liverpool are fifth in the league and face Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), trailing 1-0 after the first-leg of their last-16 tie.

“It’s never nice they are frustrated because usually fans are not frustrated after you win,” the Dutchman said.

“So first of all, you’re frustrated yourself and disappointed about the fact that we haven’t won,” said Slot.

“People have told me when I came here that this club is different than other clubs, they will support the manager for such, such, such a long time.

“But if you are supposing something, then I must have done a lot of things wrong and that’s never a nice feeling to have, because being in the club that’s always so supportive for the manager, in good and bad times, then if they are not happy with me, then apparently I’ve done so many things wrong, and that’s never a nice feeling to have.”

He added: “But I also know how the football industry works. Winning can change a lot. That’s what we are trying to achieve tomorrow night. And we’re completely ready for that, I can tell you that.”

Carragher claimed that Liverpool are a team of individuals but Slot disagreed.

“I agree with a lot of things Jamie has said throughout this whole season. This particular one, I disagree with him,” said Slot, insisting that his players have never given up.

“A team that has given up, a team of individuals or a team that does not work together, does not show resilience after our 120th setback this season. That is a bit of an exaggeration but we have had many.”

And Slot called on his players to embrace the pressure as Liverpool look to reach their first Champions League quarter-final since 2022.

The Dutchman admitted that it would be a special moment for him too as he is yet to manage at that stage of the competition.

“It’s the most important (game). Because it is the next one. That is a bit too simple. It is always the next one that is the most important one, ” said Slot. “After Galatasaray, another big one is coming up against Brighton with two days rest again. We feel the importance of this game. We are able to reach the quarter final of the Champions League. That would be special for me as it would be my first. It would be special for all of us – we can never take a Champions League quarter-final for granted.”

Available for over a year

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie talk how Chelsea are able to dominate in the big matches as they claim another League Cup victory over Manchester United.

Why are Manchester United not able to match Chelsea on the big occasions and what did Marc Skinner mean by ‘rubbish goals’? Jen and Ellen talk strikers with Beata Olsson scoring her sixth WSL goal of the season for Liverpool.

And some big news from Chelsea as Cat Macario looks to be on the move to NWSL side San Diego Wave on a reportedly record contract deal. The team talk about the money in the women’s game and the new ‘high impact player’ rule in the NWSL.

Plus what has Guro Reiten’s impact been as she leaves Chelsea after six years. 

Timecodes:
03:00 Typical Chelsea!  
08:00 What or who was the difference maker?
14:30 Where it leaves Manchester United?
18:35 What’s been the change for Liverpool?
25:25 Striker stats & debate
28:30 Cat Macario to San Diego Wave? 
34:00 Guro Reiten leaving Chelsea for Gotham FC

Live coverage in the WSL Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 12 o’clock kick off on Saturday 21st on Sports Extra.

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Bayern Munich may hand 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott his first-team debut in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The German giants have three goalkeepers struggling with injury and if Jonas Urbig fails to recover from concussion then Prescott will play in the second leg of their last 16 tie against Atalanta, head coach Vincent Kompany said.

Urbig sustained his injury in Bayern’s 6-1 victory in Italy last week, while regular starter Manuel Neuer is working towards full fitness after a muscle tear and third-choice keeper Sven Ulreich picked up an adductor issue in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.

“Jonas trained normally today [Tuesday]. The decision tomorrow will be a medical one,” Kompany said.

“If everything goes well then Urbig will be in goal. If not then we will have to find another solution.”

Prescott, a German youth international who plays for Bayern’s under-19s, will require clearance from German labour authorities to work in the evening as he is a teenager.

He has been on Bayern’s bench in their past two matches with fellow teenage keeper Leon Klanac, 19, also out with a thigh injury.

Reserve team keeper Janis Bartl, 19, has featured on the Bayern bench in two Bundesliga matches this season, but it is Prescott who Kompany will turn to if necessary.

“He [Prescott] is very calm. Overall, we as a staff are also calm. If he plays tomorrow he will have our full backing. Everyone will help,” Kompany added.

“There will never be a young player who will be forced to play a main role. We have full confidence in him whatever happens tomorrow.”

Neuer, a World Cup winner and 12-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern, has played 19 times in the league this season, with the 37-year-old’s last appearance coming on 6 March.

Urbig, 22, has played eight league matches, including six starts, while Ulreich, 37, made his first appearance of the season on Saturday.

Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champions and current league leaders, will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the last eight should they beat Atalanta.

“Sak and his representatives are aware he’s in breach of his playing contract by choosing to feature in the Baller League,” club chairman Rory Fitzgerald told the club website., external

And in a statement, The Stones said Waddock did not expect Hassan to be part of his plans for the rest of the season.

The north London club are currently 10th in the National League and will face Marine in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

“The club was not approached for permission for Sak to participate, nor were we made aware of his involvement in advance,” they had said in a post on its official X account, external.

Baller League is in its second season in the United Kingdom – the televised six-a-side tournament where a mixture of former and current professionals, celebrities, and influencers compete in 30-minute matches.

Among the famous team managers in this year’s event are Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Chloe Kelly, Angry Ginge and Micah Richards.