Manchester City

By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf

Real Madrid and Manchester City played quite an entertaining one-all draw at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The much went as much as I expected it, with Manchester City dominating the possession, trying to dictate the tempo of the game and Real Madrid pressing the City players, trying to disrupt their rhythm and attacking at full pace through the electric Vinicius Jnr and the young prodigy, Rodrygo Goes.

That was the pattern for much of the game. Real Madrid will be a bit disappointed for not registering a win (no matter how slender) ahead of the second leg next week. Of course, it’s easy to criticise Guardiola for settling for a draw. But come on! We are talking about a FIRST LEG of a UEFA Champions League semi-final. Do you seriously expect any serious coach to attack Real Madrid all guns blazing and risk getting hammered via counter attack?

True, Manchester City players looked tired and disjointed in the closing stages of the game. I expected Guardiola to introduce Mahrez, Alvarez and/or Foden in place of largely ineffectual Bernardo and Grealish. But do I think I know better than Pep Guardiola?

This game can still go either way. Expect that when you are playing against Real Madrid in the UCL. However, from the result of the first leg, Manchester City will be the happier side. They played largely well below their capabilities (thanks to Real Madrid’s game plan and management) and still came out of the mighty Santiago Bernabeu unscathed.

On for the second leg!

Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf wrote from Kano and can be reached via aliyuyy@gmail.com.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Bayern Munich have suspended Sadio Mané after he punched his teammate Leroy Sane.

Following Bayern’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday night, Mane and Sane got into an argument in the dressing room.

The Senegalese international confronted Sane after the game because he was upset with how Sane treated him on the pitch.

He lost his cool and hit Sane in the face, leaving him with a bloody lip.

The suspension, according to reports, is until further notice.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Real Madrid have secured a place in the Champions League final. They will play against the English Premier League Giants, Liverpool, after crashing Manchester City out of the competition today, Wednesday.

City had their opener through Mahrez in the 73rd minute, while Madrid had their goals thanks to Rodrygo’s brace—the first one in the 90th minute and the second one in the 91st minute—and Benzema’s third penalty goal in the 95th minute. That made the match end 3-1.

The goal aggregate emerged 6-5 as Madrid made it to the final even after being beaten 4-3 by the City last week.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of eight Manchester United stars who could depart this summer, Danny Mills, a former Manchester City right-back, claimed.

According to Mills, Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Nemanja Matic might depart United at the end of the season.

Ronaldo has struggled since joining Manchester United from Juventus last summer, despite scoring 22 goals in all competitions for the Premier League giants.

Mills told Football Insider that making Ronaldo a part of the rebuilding process at Man United is pointless because Erik Ten Hag will take over from Ralf Rangnick.

“Ronaldo might be a difficult one, but I am sure somebody would take him. Remember, they didn’t pay too much for him. It’s not like they are going to take a huge hit in terms of a transfer fee.”

“Ronaldo still has something to offer, but if you are talking about a rebuilding process, and he’s only going to be there for one season, what’s the point? He becomes more of a hindrance than a help. Every time you lose, it is ‘Why is Ronaldo not playing?’ That is the difficulty that you have. If you’re going to start afresh, give yourself that opportunity to start fresh,” Mills was quoted as saying.

By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf