Pep Guardiola has officially surpassed Sir Alex Ferguson to claim second place for the most games managed in Champions League history. However, this historic milestone was heavily overshadowed by a bitter reality, as his Manchester City side crashed out of the competition following a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Vinicius Jr returned to form at the right time for Real Madrid, bagging twice as Los Blancos got the job done against Manchester City to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Madrid arrived in England defending a 3-0 lead after the first leg, and ensured that there was no 'remontada' at the Etihad Stadium, winning 2-1 win on the night after a rather frantic contest.
The European dreams of Manchester City appear to be disintegrating as a disastrous opening period at the Etihad Stadium has left Pep Guardiola’s side with a mountain to climb. Any hope of a comeback following the first-leg result seemed to be slipping away after a frantic spell that saw the Citizens reduced to 10 men and concede from the penalty spot. However, Erling Haaland pulled one back to level the score before the end of the first half, offering a glimmer of hope.
AZ sensation Kees Smit has put Europe's elite on high alert by revealing his desire to secure a move to La Liga in the near future. The 20-year-old midfielder, who has become one of the most coveted young talents in the Eredivisie, is currently being monitored by both Real Madrid and Barcelona as they look to bolster their respective squads with the next generation of Dutch quality.
After Federico Valverde's stunning first-half hat-trick handed Real Madrid a commanding 3-0 lead in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg, Manchester City face a monumental task in the return clash. Dive into shot maps, xG insights, and key battlegrounds — will City unleash overloads and high pressing for a remontada, or will Madrid's counter-threat seal the tie?
Rodri has fueled speculation regarding a potential move to Real Madrid after delivering a cryptic response about his Manchester City future. The former Ballon d'Or winner also admitted to feeling "frustrated" with City's recent inability to kill off games.
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing for a ruthless squad clear-out this summer, with as many as six high-profile first-team stars, including defensive stalwarts and midfield prodigies, said to be on the chopping block.
A potential date for Jude Bellingham to complete a stunning homecoming transfer that takes him back to Birmingham City has been set by Peaky Blinders creator and avid Blues supporter Steven Knight. A home-grown hero bid farewell to his West Midlands roots in 2020, and is now with Real Madrid, but could steps be retraced in the next five years?
Raymond Domenech has launched another blistering attack on Endrick's recent form following Lyon's frustrating draw with ten-man Le Havre. The former France manager was again forthright in his assessment of the Real Madrid loanee, questioning his tactical utility and work rate.
Following his stellar performance against Manchester City, Federico Valverde has suddenly found himself in the spotlight as never before. The Uruguayan is a worthy successor to Toni Kroos – even if his style of play is quite different.
Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe have returned to the Real Madrid squad ahead of the trip to face Manchester City in the Champions League. Both players have been dealing with fitness issues but the head coach says they are now ready to travel with the team, with Mbappe available to play while Bellingham is close to making his return.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has addressed the fallout from his controversial collision with Diego Rico during Los Blancos' recent 1-0 defeat to Getafe. The German international was under intense scrutiny after appearing to drive his knee into the face of a grounded Rico, an action that many pundits and fans felt was worthy of a lengthy suspension.
Carlo Ancelotti reflected on the final months of his historic tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Italian tactician, who is now leading the Brazilian national team, explained how Kylian Mbappe's arrival coincided with a turning point that required more than just tactical adjustments. While Mbappe’s talent was never in question, his integration occurred at the same time the squad lost its traditional leadership core.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has showered praise on his former Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, highlighting his exceptional mentality and consistency on the biggest stages. Emphasising his Brazilian flair, humility and joy, the coach dismissed any concerns over past frustrations, throwing his full support behind the winger ahead of a demanding World Cup campaign.
Pep Guardiola has made a surprising admission when explaining why he has given his Manchester City players the day off 24 hours before facing Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 second leg. City lost the first leg 3-0 in Madrid and are hoping to become only the fifth team in the competition's modern history to overturn a deficit of three goals or more.
Real Madrid's former coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the light-hearted message he sent to Federico Valverde following the midfielder’s stunning hat-trick against Manchester City. The Uruguayan international produced the performance of a lifetime at the Santiago Bernabeu, single-handedly dismantling the Premier League giants in a sensational first-half display. His treble has put the Spanish giants in a commanding position ahead of the second leg.
Kylian Mbappe is officially back in the fold for Real Madrid after a knee injury kept him out of the first-leg victory at the Bernabeu. The French superstar has undergone a conservative treatment plan over the last three weeks to avoid surgery, and his progress at Valdebebas has been swift enough to warrant a place in the squad to face Manchester City alongside Jude Bellingham, who has also been out recently.
Pep Guardiola has issued an ultimatum to his Manchester City squad, telling any players who doubt their ability to stage a historic Champions League comeback to "stay at home". Facing a daunting three-goal deficit against Real Madrid, the Catalan manager is demanding total belief from his side. City must overcome both their recent poor form and a dismal historical record in first-leg recovery missions to keep their European dreams alive.
Kylian Mbappe has handed Real Madrid a fitness boost after completing a normal training session with the rest of the first-team squad on Sunday. The forward has been working through a fitness programme to overcome a persistent knee problem that kept him out of recent domestic action, but his presence in Valdebebas suggests he is closing in on a return to first-team action.
Real Madrid face a dilemma over Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City clash as France and Nike demand his presence for international friendlies. The World Cup winner may be called upon by his country despite sitting out matches at club level.
Kylian Mbappe will reportedly board the plane with the Real Madrid squad this Monday as they travel to England. Desperate to avoid just watching from the sidelines, the forward is pushing to be available for Alvaro Arbeloa in this decisive Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City. After missing recent action, the Frenchman is eager to help his side navigate the Etihad cauldron and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Arda Guler produced a moment of pure magic to cap off Real Madrid's resounding 4-1 victory over Elche, launching a breathtaking 68-metre lob from inside his own half. The audacious strike left the Bernabeu in awe and perfectly encapsulated a dominant night for Los Blancos, with the 21-year-old playmaker proudly taking to Instagram to share the spectacular footage.
Real Madrid showed no mercy to Elche in their last league match, sealing a resounding 4-1 victory that keeps the pressure on Barcelona. But Arda Guler stole the show, leaving his manager reaching for superlatives. The young playmaker’s strike was the highlight of a busy night at the Bernabeu, and Alvaro Arbeloa was quick to point out just how rare such a goal is in modern football.
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