Sport
We Must Stop Real Madrid from Running and Impose Our Game to Win – Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has shared what Manchester City must do to get past Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League play-off clash. The City boss believes his team needs to take control across both legs to stand a chance against the defending champions.
City and Madrid are battling for a spot in the Round of 16, with the first leg set for Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. Neither side secured automatic qualification, making this a crucial tie.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola acknowledged the attacking power of Madrid and the challenge they pose. “Trying to fully control their attack over two games is impossible. They have incredible players,” he said.
“The key is to limit their influence as much as we can. When we have the ball, we need to be smart and stop them from getting into dangerous spaces. Our goal is to impose our style and get a strong result before heading to the Bernabeu.”
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad hasn’t been in top form recently, winning just one of their last three matches in all competitions. Madrid still boasts serious firepower with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior leading the charge.
Mbappe has already netted 22 goals and provided three assists in 34 appearances this season, while Vinicius, despite injury setbacks, has managed 16 goals and 10 assists in 29 games.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he almost stepped away from football.
Speaking during a recent interview, Bassey shared that he once made a personal promise to himself to quit pursuing football professionally if he failed to secure a spot at a professional club.
“I remember being 15 and going into my final year, and I told myself that if I didn’t get into a professional club, I would quit football. It was that simple,” he said.
“I would just stop pursuing it seriously and only play for fun. Thank God I eventually got a club, because I honestly don’t know where I would be otherwise.”
It has been reported that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined Egypt $5,000 following their clash with Zimbabwe for failing to manage post-match media obligations.
It was noted that after the match, the Egyptian players ignored the media. This action was said to be a violation of CAF’s media regulations, which led to the fine being imposed.
Head of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, shared that the big-name players on the team are not happy about being benched.
He recalled when he took out Samuel Chukwueze during the match against Tanzania.
“Yes, of course, we’ve in this team a lot of big names. They are competitors; they aren’t happy when they go to the bench,” Chelle said at his post-match interview.”
“My job is to make choices, and we’re playing a 4-4-2 diamond, and at this moment I feel we have to protect the wing.”
Davido Fulfils ₦20 Million Promise to Carter Efe After Record-Breaking Stream
Super Eagles Star Calvin Bassey Opens Up on Nearly Walking Away from Football
