Alan Shearer has sharply criticised Pep Guardiola after Manchester City suffered a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid. Shearer expressed his surprise at the line-up, which indicated Guardiola's preference for an attacking style of play when facing a team of Real Madrid's stature away from home. The Newcastle United legend says City "got what they deserved" in the end, given their tactics and approach to the game.
Real Madrid continue to face a selection headache ahead of their La Liga clash with Elche as several superstars remain sidelined. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa has been forced to dig deep into the academy ranks to patch up a depleted matchday squad ahead of the meeting with Manchester City on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola has sensationally claimed he has been "massacred" for his tactical decisions following Manchester City’s humbling 3-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. The Catalan coach, evidently feeling the heat after the first-leg collapse at the Bernabeu, delivered a marathon four-minute response to questions about his team selection, even going as far as to mimic gunshots with his fingers to describe the wave of online criticism he has faced.
Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Elche as he continues his recovery from injury. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that the Frenchman will be expected to feature in the upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Lyon snatched a vital 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo in their Europa League round of 16 first leg. The breakthrough came in the final minutes when Real Madrid loanee Endrick fired a left-footed strike that slipped through goalkeeper Ionut Radu’s grasp in a shocking blunder. The goal was also a big boost for Endrick, who had gone four games without finding the net.
Thibaut Courtois has strongly denied claims that Real Madrid's senior stars orchestrated the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. The former Blancos midfielder left his post in January following a difficult start to the season, leading to speculation that key figures in the dressing room were unhappy with his tactical approach and training methods.
Antonio Rudiger once again proved why he is the ultimate fan favourite at the Bernabeu following Real Madrid’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester City. While many of the game's biggest stars would try to avoid fan attention after such a high-stakes Champions League clash, the Germany international embraced supporters, celebrating wildly in his car for those who had blocked his exit from the stadium.
Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois has revealed he sent a private message of support to Antonin Kinsky after the Tottenham goalkeeper’s disastrous Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid. The 22-year-old Czech shot-stopper was handed a surprise start at the Metropolitano but was ruthlessly substituted after just 14 minutes following two monumental blunders that helped the Spanish side race into a 3-0 lead.
Manuel Angel enjoyed a fairytale Champions League debut for Real Madrid against Manchester City, capped off by a heart-warming moment with his father. The 21-year-old midfielder made his European bow at the Santiago Bernabeu before securing a high-profile souvenir from a City superstar.
Thierry Henry has leapt to the defence of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, insisting his fellow Frenchman has been unfairly criticised in his career due to the high standards expected of him. Mbappe rose to stardom with AS Monaco before securing a nine-figure move to Paris Saint-Germain and winning the World Cup with France as a key starter while still a teenager. To date, Mbappe has scored 365 times in 460 club appearances, while he has also grabbed 55 goals in 94 caps for France, second to only Olivier Giroud in Les Bleus' all-time leading scorers list. Despite these many accolades, Mbappe has never won the Champions League as a player, and despite being tipped to take home many Ballon d'Or awards in an era after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's duopoly, he has yet to claim a Golden Ball for himself.
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku appeared to disappear into thin air during a high-stakes Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. The bizarre broadcast error left fans across the globe questioning their eyesight as the Belgian seemed to flicker out of existence.
Almost out of nowhere, Thiago Pitarch has established himself in Real Madrid's star ensemble. Against City, he delivered a gala performance that left a world star in awe.
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has offered a grim assessment of the club's bruising 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid. A sensational hat-trick from Federico Valverde left the Premier League champions reeling in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Real Madrid’s 3-0 demolition of Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 was almost the perfect night for Los Blancos, but for Vinicius Junior's missed penalty that could've added further gloss to the result. In the 58th minute, after the Brazilian forward was felled in the box, cameras caught the moment Vinicius gestured towards Valverde, offering the midfielder the chance to step up and bag what would have been a remarkable fourth goal of the game.
Jude Bellingham was caught on camera looking completely stunned as Federico Valverde tore Manchester City apart with a clinical hat-trick. The England international, watching from the stands due to injury, couldn't hide his shock at the Uruguayan’s masterclass in the Champions League.
Within a Real Madrid squad that is packed full of Galacticos, Fede Valverde is rarely singled out for what he offers to Los Blancos despite his obvious importance to the team. On Wednesday, though, he was able to hog the limelight after his stunning first-half hat-trick saw off Manchester City in the Champions League. His performance also earned him the rarest of plaudits: A 10/10 rating from L'Equipe.
Federico Valverde produced a masterclass that will go down in Champions League folklore, leading Real Madrid to a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City. The Uruguayan midfield engine was outstanding, netting a stunning hat-trick to help the Spanish giants put one foot in the quarter-finals. His performance was so good that a reporter in the mixed zone decided to skip the formalities and jokingly crown him with a 'Ballon d'Or' on the spot.
Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold has heaped praise on Federico Valverde, describing him as the "most underrated player" in world football following a sensational display against Manchester City. The Uruguayan international took centre stage as Los Blancos secured a dominant 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Bernabeu. Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, Valverde’s first-half hat-trick dismantled Pep Guardiola's side in a rampant 22-minute spell.
Manchester City went down to Real Madrid and faces an early exit from the Champions League. The English press had nothing good to say about Pep Guardiola and his team.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa showered Fede Valverde with immense praise following a commanding 3-0 win over Manchester City, describing the midfielder as the ultimate "benchmark" for the club. Arbeloa emphasised that Valverde embodies every quality a Real Madrid player should possess and remains the definitive standard-bearer for the modern era after his Champions League masterclass.
Real Madrid
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