Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is certain to make changes having criticised his players after Saturday’s defeat at Bolton. Defensive midfielder Jay Spearing could return to the squad having missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem. Winger Stewart Downing could get a recall having been dropped to the bench at the weekend while Dalglish will have to assess striker Craig Bellamy’s ability to play twice in four days. The Reds…
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has refuted Yaya Toure’s allegations of being ignored, adding that he even tried to convince Toure to stay at Nou Camp. However, Guardiola has stepped up to deny the claims, making clear that he has always tried to foster a strong relationship with his players using an open-door policy. Guardiola said on AS: “There’s not much to say about this matter. I talk to anyone and the…
Roberto Mancini expects Manchester City to improve after their Champions League debut ended in a frustrating draw against Napoli. City needed a 74th-minute free-kick from left-back Aleksandar Kolarov to secure a share of the spoils in their much-anticipated Group A opener at the Etihad Stadium in response to Edinson Cavani’s effort from a classic breakaway move in the 69th minute. City did squander numerous chances, hitting the woodwork through Yaya…
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has jumped to the defence of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the Gunners’ humiliation on Sunday. Wenger fielded an unfamiliar side at Old Trafford for their clash with champions Manchester United – handing starts to Carl Jenkinson, Armand Traore and Francis Coquelin – and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won 8-2, handing a crushing blow to Arsenal. Wenger has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, following…
Samir Nasri has admitted that he cannot wait to link up with his new team-mates at Manchester City. The 24-year-old had been linked with a move away from Arsenal throughout the summer, and completed his switch to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday on a four-year deal. The former Marseille midfielder has compared his new club to Real Madrid during their ‘Galacticos’ era and said he is looking forward to playing…
Roberto Mancini expects Manchester City to bid for the Atlético Madrid striker Sergio Agüero in the next few days and despite Carlos Tevez’s likely departure dragging on. After City’s 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps it was not long before the discussion turned to Tevez’s on-off move to Corinthians, who earlier denied having a £40m bid accepted for the 27-year-old. “I slept last night and I had a game to prepare…
Corinthians have made an improved offer of £40m for the Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez in the hope of concluding a deal before the Brazilian club’s self-imposed deadline of Sunday night. City have been asking for £50m and turned down a £35m bid from Corinthians last week. Although the Premier League club have indicated a willingness to compromise, the suggestion before the latest offer was lodged was that £40m would…
Following his team’s imperious dissection of Chelsea on Sunday, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson appeared to look forward to the Champions League final later this month with a degree of caution. ‘We have got three weeks to plan for the Barcelona game and we will need that,’ said Ferguson. Given the lesson the Spanish team handed United in beating them 2-0 in the Rome final of 2009, Ferguson is…