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Tag: AC Milan

  • Arsenal face last-minute hijack threat for new sporting director

    Arsenal face last-minute hijack threat for new sporting director

    Arsenal are at risk of seeing their move for a new sporting director hijacked by a European giant.

    The Gunners have reached an agreement to name Andrea Berta as the long-term replacement for Edu.

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    Arsenal are facing competition for Andrea BertaCredit: Getty

    The Brazilian left the club back in November with the north London side spending time searching for his replacement.

    While Arsenal hope Berta will be the man, reports in Italy have suggested that their move could be scuppered.

    According to Corriere della Sera, AC Milan are also interested with Arsenal having to fend off a late approach.

    It’s reported that Milan are looking to hijack the deal with Berta their ‘favourite’ candidate for the same role at the San Siro.

    Arsenal’s search for a sporting director comes as they aim to replace Edu, a man who held the position for five years having joined the club in 2019.

    Interim sporting director Jason Ayto had been a candidate for the role along with former Gunners midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

    Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth was also linked with the role having suddenly left Old Trafford in December.

    But it’s Berta who is the man lined up for the job.

    Berta is closing in on a move to Arsenal after leaving his previous position with Atletico Madrid.

    The Italian spend 12 years with the Spanish giants but left the club in January this year.

    Berta is closing in a move to Arsenal after leaving Atletico Madrid in January

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    Berta is closing in a move to Arsenal after leaving Atletico Madrid in JanuaryCredit: Getty

    Andrea Berta’s notable signings

    • Antoine Griezmann: 2014 and 2021 (Real Sociedad and Barcelona) – £24.8m and £16.5m
    • Rodri: 2018 (Villarreal) – £16.5m
    • Luis Suarez: 2020 (Barcelona) – £5.5m
    • Jan Oblak: 2014 (Benfica) – £13m
    • Marcos Llorente: 2019 (Real Madrid) – £35m
    • Kieran Trippier: 2019 (Tottenham) – £20m

    Working alongside Diego Simeone, Berta helped Atletico to a glut of trophies including two LaLiga titles and the Europa League.

    In that time he was responsible for completing a number of major transfer deals.

    His notable signings also include Joao Felix, Kieran Trippier, Luis Suarez, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher.

    He also oversaw the sale of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona for £99million in 2019 before re-signing him for £18million four years later.

    Most notably, Berta was responsible for completing a £16.5million deal to sign Rodri from Villarreal back in 2018.

    The reigning Ballon d’Or winner made 47 appearances for Atletico before being sold to Man City for a fee of £58million a year later.

    The Gunners are looking to recruit a replacement for Edu who left the club last year

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    The Gunners are looking to recruit a replacement for Edu who left the club last yearCredit: Getty

    Since then Rodri has gone on to win 11 trophies with City, including the treble, and won the Ballon d’Or in October.

    Having started his career in his native Italy with Carpendolo, Berta has also worked with Parma and Genoa in the past.

    He was also named ‘sporting director of the year’ at the Globe Soccer Awards back in 2019.

    The award has also been won by former Tottenham director Fabio Paratici and outgoing City chief Txiki Begiristain.

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  • Last minute scramble saves German giants; ‘horror show’ knocks out seven-time champs – CL Wrap

    Last minute scramble saves German giants; ‘horror show’ knocks out seven-time champs – CL Wrap

    Alphonso Davies scrambled the ball in with seconds left to give Bayern a 3-2 aggregate victory over Celtic and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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    Bayern started the playoff second leg leading 2-1 from the first game in Glasgow but the visitors cancelled out that lead after 63 minutes.

    Nicolas Kuhn, a former Bayern reserve team player, pounced on an error by Kim Min-jae to sweep the ball home.

    Bayern dominated and peppered the Celtic goal but could not beat Kasper Schmeichel, until, with regular time almost up, the goalie could only parry Leon Goretzka’s header to substitute Davies. The ball bounced in off the Canadian’s shin to give Bayern a 1-1 draw in the match.

    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 18: Alphonso Davies (C) celebrates with Josip Stanisic (L) and Leon Goretzka (R) of Munich his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    – Feyenoord advance as Hernandez lets down AC Milan –

    Feyenoord reached the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday after taking advantage of Theo Hernandez’s damaging sending off to draw 1-1 at AC Milan and go through 2-1 on aggregate.

    Julian Carranza thumped home the winning header in the 73rd minute at a frigid San Siro, sending around 5,000 away fans wild at the same ground where Feyenoord won the old European Cup in 1970.

    Argentine attacker Carranza, who told reporters he was too sick with fever to start the match, cancelled out Santiago Gimenez’s first-minute opener for the seven-time European champions Milan and sent the Dutch through to meet either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the next round.

    The only sour note for Feyenoord was right-back Givairo Read being sent off after the final whistle as tempers flared on the touchline between both sets of players.

    “The 25 minutes that I played, or 30, I was not feeling great and I think everyone could see it, because after every single sprint there was coughing,” said Carranza.

    “It’s the most important goal I’ve ever scored so I’m really happy for that.” Carranza struck for Feyenoord shortly after coming on as substitute as the away side pushed to reach the next round following Hernandez’s red card five minutes after half-time.

    Already on a booking for a needless foul on Anis Hadj-Moussa just before half-time, Hernandez was ruled by referee Szymon Marciniak to have dived in the penalty box when under pressure from Read.

    – Hernandez horror show –

    The France full-back, who went close to putting Milan ahead in the 23rd minute when he crashed a close-range effort off the post, was dismissed, leaving Milan on the back foot after having dominated up to that point.

    Hernandez’s sending off and Carranza’s tie-winning header ruined what looked to be Gimenez’s night when he nodded home the opener against his old team after just 36 seconds.

    Mexico forward Gimenez, who transferred to Milan from Feyenoord during the winter transfer window, pushed the ball home from practically on the line after Malick Thiaw did brilliantly to keep in Christian Pulisic’s cross.

    “Yes, today Theo was sent off but that could happen to anyone. That’s football,” said Gimenez to Sky.

    “We all have great respect for Theo and we ask that he is supported because he always gives everything for Milan and is one of the best full-backs in the world “Now we can’t look back, we have to look forward. We’re still in the (Italian) cup and have work to do in the league so all we can do is keep our heads down and work hard.”

    The 23-year-old Gimenez has already scored three times for Milan since signing from Feyenoord but his sixth goal in the Champions League this season was also his last.

    Milan coach Sergio Conceicao was quick to deflect blame away from Hernandez. “You can talk about whether Theo was touched or not but we need to be stronger emotionally and mentally,” said Conceicao.

    “This elimination is down to me, not Theo or anyone else. I’m the one who’s responsible. Theo has given a lot to Milan.” Milan are by no means assured of a spot in next year’s tournament as they sit seventh in Serie A, five points off the top four with a game in hand.

    And their season has been greatly compromised by the dismal way they lost the first leg in Rotterdam and Hernandez’s poor discipline which led to Tuesday’s painful elimination.

    – Benfica hold off Monaco –

    Benfica snatched a nailbiting 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round.

    Monaco twice led on the night and came close to forcing extra-time but Orkun Kokcu’s 84th minute equaliser helped Benfica scrape through in Lisbon, with Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting in the next round.

    Kerem Akturkoglu put the hosts ahead against the run of play, with Takumi Minamino levelling for Monaco after 32 minutes.

    Eliesse Ben Seghir fired the visitors ahead but Vangelis Pavlidis struck from the spot to keep the score tied on the night.

    French youngster George Ilenikhena netted in the 81st minute for Monaco but Kokcu prodded home to send Benfica through.

    “It was a tough night, we knew Monaco would put pressure on us from the start and we felt it, we didn’t play our best game,” Kokcu told SportTV.

    “Still, we’re happy to have progressed to the last 16, I’m happy to have contributed to the result.”

    Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 on Saturday in the French top flight, sharpening their pencils ahead of their crucial exam at the Estadio da Luz.

    Both sides were without key players through injury and suspension, with Benfica missing Angel Di Maria among others, while Monaco started with just one recognised midfielder.

    Wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Ben Seghir played more centrally than usual and both shone in Lisbon, despite ending up on the losing side.

    Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a good save to deny Monaco’s Krepin Diatta early on, as the Ligue 1 side looked to get back on level terms in the tie and had the better of the first half.

    However it was the hosts who took the lead after superb work by Benfica striker Pavlidis.

    The Greek attacker, who netted a hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage, turned provider on this occasion and, after darting into the area, crossed to the back post for Akturkoglu to turn home.

    Swiss international Breel Embolo almost levelled for Monaco but his header hit the post, although the visitors netted less than a minute later.

    Embolo did well to hold off veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing former Liverpool attacker Minamino room for a shot and he drilled home at the near post.

    Monaco should have taken the lead just before half-time but Embolo fired a glorious chance high over the crossbar after the impressive Akliouche surged through the middle and teed him up.

    – ‘A lot of fight’ –

    The Moroccan winger produced a deadly accurate first-time finish inside the near post after Akliouche cut the ball back to him from the right.

    Bruno Lage’s side struggled to find a foothold in the match but Thilo Kehrer handed the hosts a lifeline when he went to clear the ball but arrived late and kicked Fredrik Aursnes in the box.

    Pavlidis, who netted the only goal of the first leg, powered home from the spot for his seventh of the tournament.

    Ilenikhena put Monaco back ahead on the night mere seconds after coming on from the bench, with Trubin unable to keep his low rifled effort out despite getting a hand to it.

    Adi Hutter’s side could not hold on for more than three minutes, with Alvaro Carreras firing in a dangerous cross which Benfica midfielder Kokcu flicked home.

    Benfica were awarded another penalty in stoppage time when Diatta seemed to bring down Samuel Dahl, but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review.

    “What made the difference today was 100 percent the team’s spirit, with a lot of fight,” said Dahl.

    “The game had its ups and downs, they attacked, we attacked… in the end, we scored three goals.

    “We also conceded three, but we advanced, which was the main objective.”

    – Club Brugge knock Atalanta out –

    Club Brugge of Belgium claimed a shock 3-1 win over Atalanta in Italy on Tuesday to win their Champions League play-off tie 5-2 on aggregate and progress to the last 16.

    Leading 2-1 from last week’s first leg, Club Brugge scored three times in the first half with Chemsdine Talbi netting twice and Ferran Jutgla once.

    Ademola Lookman pulled one back for Atalanta but the Belgians go through to play either Lille or Aston Villa next.

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  • ‘Stop crying your heart out’: City on brink as Real pull off epic comeback in spicy CL clash

    ‘Stop crying your heart out’: City on brink as Real pull off epic comeback in spicy CL clash

    One of the best rivalries in modern football produced another classic, or you might even say “clásico”, as a 92nd minute Jude Bellingham winner handed Real Madrid a 3-2 win in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff against Manchester City.

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    The Etihad Stadium was left stunned as English star Bellingham tapped into an empty net to steal victory for the Spanish giants.

    Vinicius Junior set up the decisive goal with the Brazilian stealing a pass from Mateo Kovacic that was intended for Rico Lewis, drawing City goalkeeper Ederson out and lobbing him, but the ball was sailing wide before Bellingham got their in time to finish off his teammate’s brilliant work.

    It was the first time Real have claimed victory in regular time away at Manchester City – they won on penalties after the second leg of last year’s quarter-final – and they are well-placed to eliminate Pep Guardiola’s side, and book their own place in the Round of 16, in the second leg at the Bernabeu next week.

    City led twice, through superstar Erling Haaland on both occasions, and the home crowd were jubilant when his 80th minute goal from a penalty, won by Phil Foden who was brought down just inside the box by a clumsy Dani Ceballos challenge, made it appear as if they may head to Madrid with a lead.

    But one of their own academy products that came back to haunt them.

    Brahim Diaz, who left City for Real Madrid back in 2019, and had a four-year loan spell at AC Milan, came off the bench to score an 86th minute equaliser.

    Diaz pounced on a ball that spilled off Ederson’s chest after a Vinicius Jr. strike, and the 25-year-old slotted it into the far corner, and in a classy touch opted not to celebrate.

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said pre-match that his side’s clashes with the Premier League giants “seems like it’s a clásico” due to the quality and frequency of their meetings, like the La Liga leader’s rivalry with Barcelona.

    It is only the fourth time that two teams have met in the Champions League in four successive seasons – after Deportivo v Juventus (2000-04), Liverpool v Chelsea (five in a row from 2004-09) and Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (2013-17) – but this battle was arguably Real and City’s spiciest.

    It was their first meeting since Real’s infamous Ballon d’Or boycott last October, and the home fans were eager to remind them of it.

    A massive banner with a picture of City’s Spanish maestro Rodri kissing the trophy accompanied by the words ‘stop crying your heart out’, in reference to the song by big City fans Oasis, was unveiled in the terraces before kick off.

    Rodri, who is sidelined with an ACL injury, was even spotted capturing a photo of the banner on his phone, while Real’s sensational forward Vinicius Jr., who they believe was the deserved winner, was met with boos and jeers every time he was involved in play.

    The noise did not seem to bother the Brazilian however as he was superb all night, but went without the reward of getting on the score sheet despite his impressive creativity.

    He released Kylian Mbappe in the 11th minute but Edersen pulled off an excellent save.

    One minute later he again almost had an assist but Nathan Ake cleared Ferland Mendy’s shot off the line, and shortly after he may have been awarded a penalty if not for the offside flag being raised, and later in the half a deflected shot of his hit the crossbar.

    Real’s electricity in the front half made them look the more threatening of the two sides early, but it was City who scored first through who else but Haaland in the 19th minute.

    Jack Grealish, who was subbed off after a half an hour with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, lobbed an excellent ball into the box to Josko Gvardiol who chested it down to Haaland and the Norwegian goal scoring machine calmly put the ball over Thibaut Courtois with his left foot.

    There was a lengthy VAR check for offside, but the video referee eventually awarded Haaland his first goal against Real Madrid, in his fifth attempt.

    Completing a brace later also added further to his remarkable Champions League record with 49 goals from 48 matches.

    City took a 1-0 lead into the break but there easily could have been more goals as a Manuel Akanji header from a Kevin De Bruyne corner hit the bar, and Mbappe squandered a late chance by launching a shot over the bar.

    The French superstar made up for it in the 60th minute, however, as a complete miskick sailed into the back of the net to equalise.

    Federico Valverde blasted a free kick into the City defensive wall, but the ball rebounded to Dani Ceballos who put a superb dink pass over the top to Mbappe inside the box and his acrobatic volley came off his shin, but a wrongfooted Ederson could only watch as it slowly looped into the far corner.

    The second half momentum was mainly with the visitors as Bellingham also had a couple of near misses, and having had almost double the amount of shots, 20 to 11, they could not help but feel like they should be returning home with a lead.

    But they were eventually rewarded for their persistence with Diaz and Bellingham’s late goals.

    – Clinical PSG, Juve and Dortmund lead –

    PSG put one foot in the Round of 16 with a dominant 3-0 victory away at fellow Ligue 1 side Brest.

    The hosts were always up against it with the Parisian giants boasting a 31 game unbeaten run against them, Brest’s last victory came in a league match in 1985, and the visitors put the foot down from the start.

    Vitinha converted a penalty in the 21st minute to open the scoring before Ousmane Dembele continued his stunning recent form with a brace either side of half time.

    The Frenchman has now scored 18 goals in his last 11 games in all competitions for PSG, making him the most prolific goal scorer in Europe’s big five competitions since the start of December.

    The second leg will be held at Paris’ Parc de Princes next week.

    Elsewhere, a 82nd minute Samuel Mbangula winner handed Juventus a 2-1 win in Turin against Dutch outfit PSV.

    Weston McKennie opened the scoring for the Italian giants, but Ivan Perisic levelled shortly after half time.

    Borussia Dortmund had a comfortable win away in Portugal against Sporting CP with a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals to Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Grob and Karim Adeyemi.

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  • Joao Felix already eyeing permanent Chelsea exit after just two games with Milan

    Joao Felix already eyeing permanent Chelsea exit after just two games with Milan

    Joao Felix has admitted he’d welcome the opportunity to stay at AC Milan despite being on loan from Chelsea.

    The Portuguese star completed a £45million move to the Blues from Atletico Madrid last summer after a previous loan spell in 2023.

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    Felix has found it difficult to feature regularly for ChelseaCredit: Getty

    Felix has scored seven goals in 20 Chelsea appearances this season but started in just three of their Premier League matches.

    His limited minutes led to Milan paying a reported £5m loan fee to sign him until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

    The 25-year-old scored a debut goal in their 3-1 Serie A win against Roma and already appears to be loving life at the San Siro.

    Speaking in a press conference Felix was asked about his potential long-term future at Milan.

    “For now, I’m on loan until June, we’ll see how it goes,” he responded. “I’m liking everything: the club, the people, the infrastructure.

    “My family and I have received a great welcome and I want to be in a place where I feel good.

    “Things can change in football, but if there’s the chance to stay here, I’d like that.”

    Felix also revealed his admiration of Milan legend Kaka, who won Serie A and the Champions League at the club, as well as the Ballon d’Or.

    “My favourite player has always been Kaka, I’ve spoken about him in the past and met him in the United States where we took part in an interview together.

    “He is my idol, but I can’t make comparisons between myself and him, I would also like to make history at AC Milan.”

    Felix joined Chelsea in August but is already keen on a long stay at Milan

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    Felix joined Chelsea in August but is already keen on a long stay at MilanCredit: Getty
    He claimed that Brazilian football legend Kaka is his idol

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    He claimed that Brazilian football legend Kaka is his idolCredit: Getty

    With Cole Palmer continuing to excel in attacking midfield for Chelsea, it’s no wonder that Felix hasn’t earned many league starts.

    Blues head coach Enzo Maresca recently spoke on the difficulties that the Portuguese international faces amid tough competition.

    When asked if he wants to see more from Felix in Chelsea colours, he replied: “No.

    “The only thing I’ve said since the start of this season is that it’s difficult to play him with so many attacking players.

    “In my idea it means that if Joao plays, it means Cole [Palmer] doesn’t play. Or, if Joao plays he has to play with Cole together, but it depends on the game.

    “For me it’s quite easy, we have three players but they are more or less similar – Cole, Joao and Christopher Nkunku.

    Felix scored his first Milan goal just minutes after he came off the bench

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    Felix scored his first Milan goal just minutes after he came off the benchCredit: Getty

    “Joao played some games, Christopher also played and they both started against Ipswich and Southampton they played, Leicester they played.

    “Some games they can both play together, but not every game because every game is a bit different.”

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  • Ange boost as Spurs hijack $42m deal; fallen star’s $600k-a-week lifeline as Utd exile complete

    Ange boost as Spurs hijack $42m deal; fallen star’s $600k-a-week lifeline as Utd exile complete

    Aston Villa signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season on Sunday to end the England international’s exile under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

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    Once a hero for the United fans, Rashford has not featured for his boyhood club since December 12 and admitted earlier this season he was ready for a “new challenge”.

    The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to AC Milan and Barcelona, but the European giants were put off by his reported £300,000-a-week (A$600,000) wages.

    According to Sky Sports, Villa will pick up at least 75 percent of that pay packet for the coming months, rising to 90 percent depending on performance-related bonuses and have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £40 million (A$40m).

    “I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions,” said Rashford in a Villa statement.

    READ MORE

    ‘THIS WAS NOT ANGEBALL’: How Spurs switch-up saved Aussie boss and ‘shamed’ Premier League great

    PL WRAP: City superstar brutally mocked in bitter five-goal disaster; Reds’ only title rival clear

    Relief for Ange but more work ahead | 01:09

    “I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

    Villa moved to bolster their attacking options after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday for a reported £64 million.

    Unai Emery’s men have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and still have aspirations to qualify for that tournament again next season.

    Villa sit eighth in the Premier League, eight points above 13th-placed United. Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since coming through the ranks at Old Trafford and has lifted the Europa League, two FA Cups and two League Cups as a United player.

    However, his attitude and work ethic in training has been questioned by Amorim, since he took charge in November.

    After last weekend’s 1-0 win at Fulham, the Portuguese coach sensationally claimed he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, in the squad than Rashford.

    “Our team should be so much better with Rashford, but he has to change,” Amorim said last week.

    “If he does change, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford in, and we need it.

    “But in this moment I think it’s really clear that we have to set some standards. That’s all.” A temporary switch to Villa allows Rashford a fresh start to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace.

    He was part of England’s World Cup squad just over two years ago and scored a career-best 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.

    But he netted just eight times last season and has seven in 24 appearances so far this campaign.

    ANGE HI-JACKS $40M TRANSFER

    Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign 26-year-old centre back Kevin Danso, who joins initially on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for 25 million euros (£21 million, A$42m).

    “It’s great to get Kevin in, we desperately needed a defender,” added Postecoglou.

    Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign Kevin Danso.Source: Getty Images

    “Getting him is great because he’s a great fit for us. He’s had a strong career and he’s at an age now (26) where he wants to kick on and he has all the attributes we look for. We’re really pleased and it will be a lift for the whole group.”

    Danso is expected to be available for selection by the time Spurs play the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Friday morning.

    Postecoglou’s first-choice centre-backs Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have missed a large part of the season, while their backup Radu Dragusin is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

    Spurs had reportedly held advanced talks with AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori but the England international opted to remain in Italy. It was the second high-profile snub Spurs had suffered in the window after Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel also opted to stay put despite the agreement of a A$100m transfer fee.

    Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is also reportedly on the verge of a move across London before Tuesday morning’s (AEDT) transfer deadline.

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  • ‘I like him’: PL legend’s Ange defence as Spurs’ transfer falls through amid injury crisis

    ‘I like him’: PL legend’s Ange defence as Spurs’ transfer falls through amid injury crisis

    Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham’s “vicious cycle” of injuries has hampered his attempt to get the troubled club back on track.

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    Postecoglou is under severe pressure after a miserable run of seven Premier League games without a win, with six defeats in that dismal spell also triggering fan protests against chairman Daniel Levy.

    Ahead of Sunday’s game at Brentford, Postecoglou’s side are languishing in 15th place, just eight points above the relegation zone.

    The Australian earned a little breathing space on Thursday when a 3-0 win against Elfsborg booked Tottenham’s place in the Europa League last 16.

    But Postecoglou is battling a lengthy injury list that threatens to stop the north Londoners ending their malaise.

    Postecoglou was already without Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner and James Maddison.

    Romanian defender Radu Dragusin became the latest to be bitten by the injury bug when he was forced off against Elfsborg, although centre-back Micky van de Ven played 45 minutes on his return from a hamstring problem.

    United remain undefeated in group stage | 00:50

    “We’ve had to deal with a real extreme situation, which unfortunately once we got hit, it is then very hard to rectify on the run,” Postecoglou told reporters on Friday.

    “We obviously got some significant injuries early on, which hampered our progress, and then we had to rely on a small group of players to get us through and that then burdened them.

    “It has been this vicious cycle. The volume of games that clubs are playing, we’ve been in an extreme situation but a lot of clubs are facing similarities in Europe.”

    It is a vital week for Tottenham, who travel to Liverpool holding a 1-0 lead in the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals on Thursday before heading to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on February 9.

    Injuries forced Postecoglou to turn to youth academy graduates Dane Scarlett, Mikey Moore and Damola Ajayi, who all scored their first goals for the club against Elfsborg.

    Now the former Celtic boss is desperate to avoid any further fitness setbacks as he bids to end a Tottenham trophy drought stretching back to 2008.

    “Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train,” he said.

    “We seem to be losing players as we get them back. We don’t want to lose anyone else, but again, best laid plans.

    Jovial Ange jokes before crucial goal | 00:57

    “You can’t plan for these things. We’ve got a big week coming up, starting Sunday.

    “We’re going to have to do it with this core group of players, so we’ve just got to be careful about how we go about it.”

    Spurs’ terrible injury crisis has spurred the club’s usually frugal chairman, Daniel Levy, into action in the transfer market.

    However, their attempt to strengthen the Australian’s options, and deepen his squad, have taken a major dent with Bayern Munich teenager Mathys Tel’s decision to reject a move to the club, according to Sky Sports.

    A deal reportedly worth £50m had been struck between the two clubs for the highly promising Frenchman, whose game time has been limited since joining the German giants in 2022.

    It is believed the French U-21 international has knocked back the chance to unite with Postecoglou in London in favour of a loan deal to one of Manchester United, Aston Villa, or Chelsea. Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli are also interested in the highly-rated attacker, who is capable of playing across the front line.

    Speaking on Sky Sports’ Transfer Show, Arsenal legend Paul Merson doesn’t believe Tel’s decision is a major blight on Spurs, given the disparity between Bayern’s position and Tottenham’s.

    “I wouldn’t say it’s embarrassing for Spurs. He’s coming from Bayern Munich, he’s not coming from a lesser team. No disrespect to Tottenham, but he’s coming from a huge team. He’s got to get the right move,” Merson said.

    Given injuries to Solanke, Odobert, Johnson, and Werner, as well as captain Heung-Min Son’s form struggles, Tel’s decision is a major blow for Spurs. However, Sky Sports are reporting the 19-year-old isn’t the only talent pursued by the club in the final days of the January window.

    According to the publication, the club are in advanced talks with AC Milan to sign former Chelsea centre back Fikayo Tomori, a move that would bolster Postecoglou’s depleted backline options.

    The 27-year-old, who was integral to Milan’s league title back in 2020-21, has struggled for minutes this season, having played just 826 for the Italian giants, who sit 7th in Serie A.

    Despite this drop in game time, Tomori would be a worthwhile asset for a Spurs side who’ve utilised teenager holding midfielder Archie Gray at centre back at various points this season, with the five-time England international’s recovery pace a key part of his game.

    However, according to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, a few new additions to Spurs’ squad mightn’t be the silver bullet many expect, given their current injury record.

    “Even if they bought three players now, they might lose more,” Wright said on a recent episode of The Overlap.

    Wright believes Tottenham’s loaded schedule, which sees them play four times in the next 10 days, the constant game time the likes of Son and Dejan Kulusevski have had to ground out, and the period of adjustment most new signings require, could lead to further players being sidelined.

    Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer stressed the impact new faces can have on a squad, even if they don’t take the field.

    “When a couple of new players come through, it gives everyone a lift,” the 39-year-old said.

    While Postecoglou’s managerial future is on the line in the coming weeks, Rooney stated his wish for the Australian to maintain his post, regardless of the outcome of their next few games.

    “I hope he survives. I like him. I like his demeanour. I think, how honest he is, sometimes you can be too honest, and sometimes that comes back to kill you,” he told The Overlap.

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  • ‘Feels like a derby’: Football heavyweights to meet AGAIN as huge Champions League knockout draw revealed

    ‘Feels like a derby’: Football heavyweights to meet AGAIN as huge Champions League knockout draw revealed

    Reigning champions Real Madrid will face 2023 winners Manchester City in the plum tie of the playoff round of this season’s Champions League.

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    It is the fourth year running in which the sides have been drawn against each other in a knockout tie, with Real emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals last season.

    City, who scraped through after finishing 22nd in the league phase in this first season of the new format for Europe’s elite club competition, knew they faced a tough draw with Bayern Munich their other possible opponents.

    Pep Guardiola’s team will be at home in the first leg on February 11 before going to Spain for the return on February 19.

    “It feels like a derby already,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday.

    Real Madrid CF and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on April 9, 2024. Picture: Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFPSource: AFP

    “Four years in a row facing Real Madrid. But Bayern or Madrid — both was really tough. Hopefully we can arrive in the first leg here, and then at Madrid, as best as possible.” Real won a dramatic semi-final tie on the way to lifting the trophy in 2022, but City gained revenge at the same stage in 2023 as they went on to become champions.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side then came out on top last season, while Real won a semi-final tie between the sides in 2016 and City won in the last 16 in 2020.

    “We know each other very well,” said Emilio Butragueno, Real’s director of institutional relations, to Spanish media.

    “They are a really great team who have the experience and are used to these types of games, so they will be very difficult opponents.

    “But this competition is very special for us and we will play the second leg at home, at the Bernabeu.”

    Elsewhere, Celtic will face six-time European champions Bayern, after the Scottish champions reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years — Celtic will be at home in the first leg on February 12 and go to Germany six days later.

    Paris Saint-Germain will play surprise package Brest in an all-French tie, while Juventus play PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord take on AC Milan in two ties between former winners of the competition.

    Tension eases as Spurs advance in Europa | 01:57

    Last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta, who finished one place outside the top eight which offered a direct path to the last 16, will face Club Brugge of Belgium.

    Sporting of Portugal were drawn against last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund, while Monaco will take on Benfica having lost at home to the Portuguese club in the league phase.

    The playoff ties will take place next month, with the eight winners going through to the last 16 along with the eight highest-placed sides from the league phase.

    Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa are the sides already through to the last 16.

    Those teams finished in the top eight in the standings in the 36-team league phase — the first season of the new format for the competition saw all competing clubs placed together in one giant pool, each playing eight games against eight different opponents.

    The draw for the remainder of the competition is partly pre-determined, meaning that whoever emerges triumphant in the tie between City and Real knows they will play either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

    Jovial Ange jokes before crucial goal | 00:57

    The draw for the last 16 onwards will take place on February 21, and it remains to be seen if Liverpool derive any advantage from having come first in the league phase.

    Arne Slot’s team will play either PSG or Brest, or Monaco or Benfica, in the last 16 in March.

    This season’s Champions League final will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, May 31.

    DRAW FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT PHASE PLAY-OFFS

    Tuesday February 11 (GMT)

    Brest (FRA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

    Juventus (ITA) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)

    Manchester City (ENG) v Real Madrid (ESP)

    Sporting (POR) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

    * Return legs February 19

    Wednesday February 12 (GMT)

    Club Brugge (BEL) v Atalanta (ITA)

    Monaco (FRA) v Benfica (POR)

    Celtic (SCO) v Bayern Munich (GER)

    Feyenoord (NED) v AC Milan (ITA

    * Return legs February 18

    — AFP

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  • City on brink after four-goal meltdown; Gunners extend remarkable record — CL Wrap

    City on brink after four-goal meltdown; Gunners extend remarkable record — CL Wrap

    PSG came from 2-0 down to topple Manchester City in a wild second half, while Real Madrid and Arsenal picked up crucial victories in a thrilling match day of Champions League action.

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    All six goals at the Parc des Princes were scored after half time as the game went into overdrive with four goals scored in just ten minutes before PSG took the three points 4-2.

    With one match remaining in the new-look league phase, City sit one place out of advancing to the knockout stage and will need to defeat Club Brugge at home next week, and hope other results go their way, to progress.

    The 2023 champions are 25th on the league table, two points shy of VfB Stuttgart, with the top eight teams automatically qualifying for the Round of 16, while ninth to 24th compete for the remaining eight places in a two-legged play-off round.

    Pep Guardiola’s side have made a habit of coughing up leads this campaign after they blew a 3-0 advantage against Feyenoord earlier in the league phase, but City never truly felt on top.

    Jack Grealish came off the bench at the break to open the scoring in the 50th minute by following the ball in after Phil Foden’s shot was saved, but spilt loose, by Gigi Donnarumma.

    Erling Haaland then, three minutes later, added a goal to his big week – he signed a new ten-year contract with City – courtesy of Grealish’s excellent run into the penalty area setting up a comfortable tap-in.

    But in the 60th minute scores were level again as fellow substitute Ousmane Dembele finished coolly and Bradley Barcola capitalised on a rebound opportunity.

    The two goals were just reward for PSG’s dominance.

    They ended the match with 26 shots compared to nine, and had 64% possession, which led to an unstoppable wave of momentum once they got going.

    Joao Neves’ header in the 78th minute put them in front and Goncalo Ramos’ 93rd minute goal, with the last kick of the game, rubbed further salt into City’s wounds.

    Ramos appeared to be a long way off-side but VAR ruled the last touch came off a City player and the goal stood.

    It was the opposite of a decision in the first half, where PSG were denied an opener by the barest of margins.

    On the eve of half time Hakimi’s goal was ruled out with Nuno Mendes ruled off-side in the lead-up by VAR which showed a portion of Mendes’ kneecap to be past the City defender.

    The victory was also crucial for PSG as they moved to 22nd with ten points from their seven matches.

    Last season’s semi-finalists started the matchday in 26th but now Luis Enrique’s side may have done enough to progress to the next phase.

    – Arsenal on course for last 16 after beating Dinamo –

    Arsenal moved within touching distance of the Champions League last 16 after Declan Rice’s goal in just 106 seconds inspired their 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

    Mikel Arteta’s side raced into the lead in their penultimate league phase fixture thanks to Rice’s clinical finish.

    Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard netted in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal climbed to third place in the standings.

    Arsenal have won five of their seven league phase matches, losing just once, and are almost certain to finish in the top eight, which secures automatic qualification for the last 16.

    The north Londoners, who have never won the Champions League, travel to Girona for their last match in the league phase next week knowing a point will guarantee a top-eight berth.

    With Arsenal holding a three-point lead over a group of teams below eighth place, even a defeat could still send them through given their superior goal difference.

    This was a much-needed victory for Arsenal after last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, in which the Gunners blew a two-goal lead to dent their Premier League title hopes.

    Arsenal have won just two of their last six games in all competitions and moving to the brink of the Champions League last 16 is a welcome boost following their FA Cup exit against 10-man Manchester United and League Cup semi-final first leg loss to Newcastle.

    Arteta had urged his players to take advantage of their “strong position” in the league phase by winning on home turf against a Dinamo team fighting to secure a place in the knockout stage play-offs.

    They rose to the challenge as Arteta’s decision to play Jakub Kiwior in central defence in the absence of the injured William Saliba was rewarded.

    – Havertz strikes –

    Jurrien Timber had struggled in the heart of Arteta’s defence in the Villa game, but Kiwior was more comfortable alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

    Arsenal made a flying start in the second minute as Gabriel Martinelli surged down the left flank and crossed towards Havertz, whose cushioned pass was lashed home by Rice from 10 yards.

    The Gunners’ quickest Champions League goal since 2014 provoked an angry response from Dinamo fans, with Rice pelted with plastic cups when he took a corner moments after his opener.

    Rice was unfazed and his goal-bound drive was blocked by Dinamo captain Arijan Ademi before Gabriel headed just wide from Odegaard’s corner.

    Gabriel screamed in frustration after that miss and Arteta looked equally vexed when Havertz headed woefully wide from another good opportunity.

    Croatian champions Dinamo, managed by former Italy World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, barely got out of their own half for long periods.

    Odegaard and Raheem Sterling combined to set up Martinelli but the Brazilian’s 20-yard drive was too close to Dinamo keeper Ivan Nevistic.

    With Arsenal struggling to deliver the knockout blow, Ethan Nwaneri replaced Sterling as the teenage forward returned from a four-game injury absence.

    Havertz finally put the result beyond doubt in the 66th minute, rising to meet Martinelli’s pin-point cross with a glancing header from 12 yards.

    After Havertz’s wife was sent death threats following his penalty shoot-out miss against Manchester United, the striker is beginning to work his way back into favour among Arsenal fans.

    The much-maligned German’s second goal in his last two games took him to 14 in all competitions this season.

    Odegaard wrapped up the comfortable victory in stoppage-time with a cool finish from Leandro Trossard’s cross.

    - Real Madrid thrash Salzburg to get back on Champions League track –

    Champions League holders Real Madrid got back on track in Europe with a 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg on Wednesday to ensure they will not be eliminated at the first hurdle.

    Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes struck twice each with French superstar Kylian Mbappe also on target in a ruthless display at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost three of their first six games in a worrying start to the competition and will likely have to compete in the extra play-off round in February which is part of the competition’s new format, unless they can scrape a top eight spot.

    Brazilian winger Rodrygo struck twice in the first half to help Madrid take control, with Mbappe netting soon after the break and Vinicius grabbing a brace of his own.

    Defeats by Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille put Madrid under pressure ahead of their final two group matches and their Austrian visitors started with vim, pinning back Los Blancos.

    Madrid created little of note until Rodrygo’s opener after 23 minutes changed the dynamic of the game.

    The winger, in sensational form in recent weeks with eight goals in his last nine games across all competitions, finished neatly after Jude Bellingham nudged a cross into his path at the back post.

    His second goal was even better, set up by Bellingham with a brilliant backheel, which Rodrygo finished first time with a crisp curling strike.

    Mbappe notched the third early in the second half, pinching the ball from Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and tapping home to continue his own recent run of fine form after a shaky start to life at Madrid.

    Veteran midfielder Luka Modric sent Vinicius down the left with a fine pass for Madrid’s fourth, and the Brazilian finished with a powerful drive across Blaswich.

    Vinicius netted again after Fede Valverde burst down the middle and put him through after a slick team move, with the forward stroking home with ease after losing his marker.

    Mads Bidstrup slapped home a volley late on to offer Salzburg scant consolation, as well as carrying on Madrid’s unenviable run of conceding in each of their Champions League outings this season.

    Despite the late setback, Madrid’s demolition job was just what they needed to settle nerves after their poor start.

    Victory left Los Blancos 16th, a point behind Bayer Leverkusen in eighth, which is the final spot for direct qualification to the last 16.

    – Celtic’s wild victory –

    Ange Postecoglou’s former side Celtic endured one of the crazier Champions League nights as they picked a 1-0 win at home to Swiss side BSC Young Boys.

    Celtic had three goals disallowed and missed a penalty before they finally scored an 85th winner – which came in the form of an own goal.

    Two minutes later, Daizen Maeda was sent off and the home side reduced to ten men as the match got more eventful.

    In the end, it was a much needed result for the Scottish giants as they now sit 18th on the table with a guaranteed place in the knockout round heading into the final matchday of the league phase.

    UEFA Champions League results on Wednesday:

    RB Leipzig (GER) 2 (Sesko 19, Poulsen 78) Sporting Lisbon (POR) 1 (Gyokeres 75)

    Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 (Kevin 18, Sudakov 37-pen) Brest (FRA) 0

    Real Madrid (ESP) 5 (Rodrygo 23, 34, Mbappe 48, Vinicius 55, 77) RB Salzburg (AUT) 1 (Bidstrup 85)

    Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 4 (Dembele 56, Barcola 60, Neves 78, Ramos 90+6) Manchester City (ENG) 2 (Grealish 50, Haaland 53)

    Sparta Prague (CZE) 0 Inter Milan (ITA) 1 (Martinez 12)

    Arsenal (ENG) 3 (Rice 2, Havertz 66, Odegaard 90+2) Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0

    Celtic (SCO) 1 (Benito 86-og) Young Boys (SUI) 0

    Feyenoord (NED) 3 (Gimenez 21, 45+9-pen, Ueda 89) Bayern Munich (GER) 0

    AC Milan (ITA) 1 (Leao 37) Girona (ESP) 0

    Played Tuesday

    Atalanta (ITA) 5 (Retegui 12, Pasalic 58, De Ketelaere 63, Lookman 90, Brescianini 90+4) Sturm Graz (AUT) 0

    Monaco (FRA) 1 (Singo 8) Aston Villa (ENG) 0

    Slovan Bratislava (SVK) 1 (Metsoko 85) Stuttgart (GER) 3 (Leweling 11, 36, Rieder 87)

    Club Brugge (BEL) 0 Juventus (ITA) 0

    Atletico Madrid (ESP) 2 (Alvarez 52, 90) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 1 (Hincapie 45+1)

    Benfica (POR) 4 (Pavlidis 2, 22, 30-pen, Araujo 68-og) Barcelona (ESP) 5 (Lewandowski 13-pen, 78-pen, Raphinha 64, 90+6, Garcia 87)

    Liverpool (ENG) 2 (Salah 34, Elliott 67) Lille (FRA) 1 (David 62)

    Bologna (ITA) 2 (Dallinga 71, Iling-Junior 72) Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 (Guirassy 15-pen)

    Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 2 (Ndiaye 71, Djiga 77) PSV Eindhoven (NED) 3 (De Jong 17, 23, Flamingo 43)

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  • ‘Worst team in history of Man Utd’: Amorim’s slams Red Devils; City hit battlers for six: PL Wrap

    ‘Worst team in history of Man Utd’: Amorim’s slams Red Devils; City hit battlers for six: PL Wrap

    Manchester United slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton as Old Trafford remembered the legendary Denis Law on Sunday, while Tottenham’s troubles also persisted as they lost 3-2 at Everton.

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    Manchester City roared back into form with a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich, while Nottingham Forest’s unlikely title challenge goes on after a 3-2 victory over Southampton took Nuno Espirito Santo’s men level with second-placed Arsenal.

    – ‘We are worst team in history of Man Utd’: Amorim –

    Ruben Amorim made the astonishing admission that his Manchester United flops are the worst team in the club’s history after Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat against Brighton.

    United crumbled to a sixth loss in 11 Premier League games since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

    “We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim said after his side’s wretched display at Old Trafford.

    “I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.”

    Man UTD legend passes away aged 84 | 00:39

    Amorim’s side are languishing in 13th place and although they are 10 points above the relegation zone, they are far from certain to avoid being dragged into the survival struggle on the evidence of Sunday’s display.

    Yankuba Minteh set the tone for United’s moribund performance with an early opener for Brighton.

    Bruno Fernandes equalised with a penalty before half-time, but second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter left United in turmoil.

    United have suffered six home league defeats this season, their most from their opening 12 matches of a season since 1893-94.

    They have also lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, the earliest into a top-flight campaign that they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989-90.

    “Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” Amorim said.

    While United have not been dragged completely into the fight for survival just yet, Amorim must find a way to get results to avoid the pressure on him becoming intolerable.

    The 39-year-old arrived at United in November, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.

    But his preferred 3-4-3 formation is not suited to the players in United’s squad.

    Yet, while he admitted he is only thinking of avoiding relegation now, the Portuguese coach refuses to change his philosophy.

    “I am not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” Amorim said.

    United’s latest calamity came on the day the club paid a sombre tribute to Denis Law after their legendary striker passed away aged 84 on Friday.

    Postecoglou: ‘Spurs need reinforcements’ | 01:11

    – ‘Everybody is underperforming’ –

    Law is immortalised in a statue of United’s ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best outside Old Trafford.

    Fans laid scarves and flowers at the statue in tribute to the third highest scorer in United’s history and took part in a minute’s applause for Law prior to kick-off.

    What transpired after that would have shocked Law to his core as Amorim’s team once again failed to live up to the storied history of the 20-time English champions.

    “In nine games in the Premier League, we won two,” Amorim said. “Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances.

    “We are underperforming and have to accept that. It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, for any Premier League club, imagine Manchester United.

    “So it’s a really hard moment but we have to continue, we have to continue, there is no other way.”

    United have lost six of their last seven league games against Brighton in an indication of how far they have fallen since last winning the title in 2013.

    Amorim’s side host Rangers in their next game on Thursday in the Europa League, with the manager desperate for a positive result to change the mood.

    “I knew it was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in the moment, but when you lose games and don’t win three games in a row it becomes really hard,” Amorim said.

    “So that’s why I’m telling we are going to suffer because I will continue to do the same.

    “I am just here to help my players, but we need to understand we are breaking all the bad records.”

    Haaland signs monster deal with City | 01:21

    – Foden stars as Man City hit Ipswich for six –

    Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City climbed to fourth in the Premier League with a 6-0 rout of struggling Ipswich on Sunday.

    Foden netted either side of Mateo Kovacic’s eye-catching goal as City blew Ipswich away with three first-half goals at Portman Road.

    Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee netted after the interval as City enjoyed their biggest league win this season.

    Pep Guardiola’s side have won three of their last four league games as they begin the long climb back to respectability after a dismal start to the season.

    Sterner tests lie in wait for City, including a vital Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and looming Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal.

    But this was the kind of confident display City used to make look routine during their march to four successive English titles.

    Winning is almost certain to prove beyond them as they trail leaders Liverpool by 12 points.

    Guardiola will settle for restoring City’s pride this term as he rebuilds a team that suddenly grew old and inconsistent before his eyes.

    Haaland, who has scored 112 goals in just 127 appearances for City, this week committed himself to the club until 2034 when he signed a new nine-and-a-half year deal.

    But Kyle Walker was again absent from the City side amid reports that AC Milan are ready to bid for the unsettled England right-back.

    In City’s first visit to Portman Road for 23 years, the champions emphasised how powerful they can still be at peak form.

    – Ruthless City –

    Haaland scored a hat-trick when City beat Ipswich 4-1 in August and he threatened to net in the opening moments in Suffolk.

    Kovacic’s pass split the Ipswich defence and sent Haaland clean through on goal, but the Norway striker’s shot was pushed away by Christian Walton.

    Kovacic fired wastefully over after a flowing move carved open the Ipswich rearguard again.

    Omari Hutchinson almost put Ipswich ahead against the run of play with a stinging strike from just inside the area that hit Haaland and flashed just over.

    But City’s pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute when Doku and Kevin De Bruyne combined to set up Foden for a clinical close-range finish.

    Foden turned provider as ruthless City doubled their lead three minutes later. Kovacic strode onto Foden’s pass on the edge of the area and smashed a superb low strike past the flat-footed Walton for his first goal since October.

    Guardiola’s men were rampant and they struck again three minutes before half-time.

    Set free by Doku, De Bruyne raced into the area and cut the ball back for Foden, whose shot from five yards evaded Walton’s weak attempted save.

    The England forward’s fifth goal in his last four games maintained his recent improvement.

    City have scored 25 first-half goals in 22 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.

    Ipswich were powerless to stem the tide. Doku danced through their defence to score City’s fourth with a low shot that hit Dara O’Shea on its way past Walton in the 49th minute.

    City showed no mercy and Haaland joined the party in the 57th minute. Jack Clarke conceded possession and Doku teed up Haaland to drill past Walton for his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.

    McAtee came off the bench to bag City’s sixth in the 69th minute, the 22-year-old looping a header over Walton from Kovacic’s cross.

    Forest were equally rampant in the first 45 minutes to cut the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points and consolidate their lead in the race for a place in the Champions League next season.

    Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood netted before the break. Southampton salvaged some pride in the second period through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu but they remain on course for an immediate return to the Championship, 10 points adrift of safety.

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  • Kyle Walker rejects mega-money Saudi switch as preferred destination is revealed

    Kyle Walker rejects mega-money Saudi switch as preferred destination is revealed

    Kyle Walker has told Saudi Pro League bosses he wants to stay in Europe, talkSPORT understands.

    It is believed that the Manchester City right-back has turned down a reported £400,000-a-week offer to play in the Middle East.

    5

    Walker favours a move to AC Milan as he seeks an exit away from the EtihadCredit: Getty

    In bombshell news over the weekend, Pep Guardiola revealed that Walker had asked to leave the Etihad this month, with AC Milan his preferred destination.

    Talks between City and the Italian giants are expected to ramp up this week.

    AC Milan are offering the England international a two-and-a-half year-deal.

    Speaking to talkSPORT, Guardiola declared that the 34-year-old club is looking to finish his career abroad.

    He said after the 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City: “Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career. He asked two years ago after the Treble.

    “Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough” he said.

    “I asked him, the club asked him, how important is this? We cannot understand the success the club had these years without Kyle.

    “It’s impossible. He gave us something we didn’t have and he’s been amazing.

    “But now in his mind he would like to explore to go to another country. For that reason, I prefer to play other players whose mind is here, that’s all.”

    Ahead of their Premier League tie with Brentford on Tuesday evening in London, Guardiola added that there was ‘no news’ on the defender.

    Guardiola told talkSPORT that Walker is looking to finish his career abroad

    5

    Guardiola told talkSPORT that Walker is looking to finish his career abroadCredit: Getty
    Walker could link up with fellow England internationals Abraham and Tomori at the San Siro

    5

    Walker could link up with fellow England internationals Abraham and Tomori at the San SiroCredit: getty
    Walker has won 17 trophies at the Etihad since joining from Tottenham in 2017

    5

    Walker has won 17 trophies at the Etihad since joining from Tottenham in 2017

    Asked whether he will be in City’s squad to travel to west London, Guardiola remarked: “I will decide after training.

    “I said what I said, I will not be going into anything else. I don’t have any news so it’s Brentford in my mind.

    The Spaniard also added that whilst the ‘mood is better’ and his side ‘have improved’, there is still much to do.

    He said: “We have to wait to see, of course the mood is better and tomorrow we have an enormously difficult game. Thomas [Frank] creates a lot of problems.”

    While Walker seems set to be on his way out of the club, two new additions look poised to arrive in the form of defender Abdukodir Khusanov and forward Omar Marmoush.

    talkSPORT understands that a £33million move has been agreed with Ligue 1 outfit Lens for centre-back Khusanov.

    City's woeful form appears to have turned a corner, but the club want defensive reinforcements in January

    5

    City’s woeful form appears to have turned a corner, but the club want defensive reinforcements in JanuaryCredit: Getty

    But Guardiola remained tight-lipped on the transfer when pushed for comment, as he simply stated: “The club didn’t announce anything.”

    Meanwhile City are also closing in on the £60m signing of Eintracht Franlfurt star Marmoush.

    The 25-year-old has chipped in with 14 Bundesliga goals and seven assists from 16 German top-flight matches this term.

    Only Harry Kane has scored more league goals [15] than the Egypt international this season.

    Simon Jordan calls Kyle Walker’s antics during Manchester derby ‘preposterous’

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