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Manchester City aren’t a ‘complete team’ admits Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola knows Manchester City are not a “complete team”, but he is convinced they can still overhaul Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Guardiola’s side suffered a damaging blow when they were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Nottingham Forest in midweek.

Second-placed City are seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, although they have a game in hand and host the Gunners in April.

City have bounced back from disappointing results countless times during Guardiola’s glittering tenure.

The Spaniard expects them to do so again against Newcastle in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, but he conceded his expensively rebuilt team are still a work in progress.

“Normally, we react well. We have the ability to forget quick. We are not a complete team to compete; that is the reality. We are in the process of many changes,” he said.

“But if we can learn quicker, still nothing is lost, we can arrive in the last month with the chances.

“But I’m pretty sure next season will be better. I don’t have doubts about that.”

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Guardiola’s reference to next season, the final year of his current contract, offers another indication he intends to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

There has been repeated speculation that he could leave this summer after a decade in charge, although he said in December that he wanted to stay.

The Newcastle tie doesn’t kick off until 2000 GMT, which is something Pep Guardiola has mixed feelings about.

It allows for extra recovery time after the Forest game, but shortens preparation for Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg trip to Real Madrid.

“Recovery is massively important. Rest, sleep, food, training, we know how to handle it,” he said.

“Of course, when we arrive early at home, it’s better than late for the recovery, but it is what it is.

“For here in England, it is more important what happens in the League Cup than Champions League games for English teams

“I don’t ask for anything, and if we have to play at 8pm, we’re going to play at 8pm.”

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Real Madrid to play Manchester City in Champions League last 16

Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth season running after being drawn Friday to play each other in the last 16, while reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on Chelsea.

The Spanish giants, record 15-time European champions, will host City in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next month before travelling to England for the return the following week.

The clubs have already played each other this season, with Pep Guardiola’s City winning 2-1 in Madrid in December during the league phase, in which the Premier League club finished eighth and Real ninth.

That allowed City, Champions League winners in 2023, to advance straight to the last 16 while Madrid had to come through the knockout phase play-offs, in which they beat Benfica 3-1 on aggregate.

This is the eighth season in which the teams have played each other since 2012. Real beat City in the knockout phase play-offs last season, and in the quarter-finals on the way to winning the trophy in 2024.

They also emerged victorious in the semi-finals in 2022, with City winning at the same stage the following year.

PSG will be at home to Chelsea in the first leg after qualifying for this stage with a 5-4 aggregate win over Ligue 1 rivals Monaco in the play-offs. Chelsea progressed straight to the last 16 after finishing sixth in the league phase.

The sides played each other in the knockout stages in three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016, with Chelsea winning the first of those confrontations in the quarter-finals and PSG triumphing in the last 16 in the following two.

Their last encounter came in July’s Club World Cup final in the United States, when Chelsea won 3-0 against last season’s European champions.

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Chelsea have been coached since January by Liam Rosenior, who had previously come up against PSG in Ligue 1 as the coach of Strasbourg.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United will take on Barcelona with the first leg at St James’ Park, where the Spanish side won 2-1 during the league phase in September.

There is a record total of six English clubs in the last 16. Liverpool will have a rematch against Galatasaray, the Turkish giants having defeated the Anfield club 1-0 in September in the league phase.

Arsenal will come up against Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham Hotspur were drawn to play Atletico Madrid.

German champions Bayern Munich will play Atalanta, the sole Italian club left in the competition, while Norwegian upstarts Bodo/Glimt’s reward for knocking out Inter Milan is a last-16 tie against Sporting of Portugal.

The first legs will take place on March 10 and 11, with the second legs a week later.

The teams that qualified directly for this stage after finishing in the top eight in the league phase will all be at home in the return matches.

This season’s Champions League final will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

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Arsenal held by Brentford to offer Manchester City Premier League title hope

Arsenal missed the chance to extend their Premier League lead to six points as Brentford rattled the Gunners in a 1-1 draw on Thursday to give Manchester City hope in the title race.

Noni Madueke headed the leaders in front on the hour mark, but the Bees were well worthy of at least a point and levelled through Keane Lewis-Potter.

Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table now stands at four points as they aim for a first league title in 22 years.

But Mikel Arteta’s men still have to travel to second-placed City in the remaining 12 games of the season.

A point boosted Brentford’s bid to qualify for European football for the first time as they remain in seventh.

Keith Andrews’ side have only been beaten twice at home all season, and Arsenal can count themselves fortunate not to have suffered just a fourth league defeat of the campaign.

David Raya foiled his former club with a stunning save to claw away Igor Thiago’s powerful header with the best chance of the first half.

Arsenal were missing William Saliba and Kai Havertz through illness and injury, respectively, but were boosted by the return of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on the bench.

Arteta sent for Odegaard at half-time to turn the tide, and the visitors started the second period with far more intent.

Arsenal’s pressure had its reward when Madueke rose highest at the back post to head Piero Hincapie’s cross back across Caoimhin Kelleher.

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However, the visitors were guilty of trying to hold onto their advantage rather than continuing to take the game to Brentford.

Thiago stung the palms of Raya once more as the home side grew in confidence.

Lewis Potter should have levelled earlier when he headed wide from a corner when completely unmarked.

Arsenal’s strength from set-pieces has played a huge role in putting them in pole position for the title.

But they struggled to cope with Brentford’s own prowess from dead balls.

The equaliser arrived from one of Michael Kayode’s long-throws propellled into the box, Sepp van den Berg won the flick-on, and Lewis Potter stole in ahead of Odegaard to head in.

Brentford were the far more likely winners in the final 20 minutes.

Cristhian Mosquera made a vital last-ditch tackle to deny Thiago.

The Brazilian’s best chance for an 18th Premier League goal of the season came in stoppage time, but he smashed inches over.

But Arsenal also had a chance to snatch victory at the death when Kelleher raced off his line to save from Gabriel Martinelli.

READ: Atletico Madrid rout Barcelona in Copa del Rey semi-final first leg

Manchester City fight back to beat Liverpool 2-1

Erling Haaland struck a stoppage-time penalty to earn Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League back to six points.

City were heading for defeat at Anfield with six minutes to go before Bernardo Silva cancelled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick to spark an incredible finale.

Haaland put City in front from the spot before the visitors had another goal ruled out, and Szoboszlai was sent off in the same incident after a VAR review.

Victory was City’s first away to Liverpool in front of a crowd since 2003 and applies some pressure to Arsenal’s quest for a first title in 22 years.

“I feel the whole team knew before the game, if we lost it then the title race was probably over,” said Silva. “We felt like we needed to win.”

Defeat delivered another blow to Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football next season.

The defending champions remain down in sixth and four points adrift of the top five.

These two clubs have combined to win the last eight Premier League titles, but both showed the flaws which have opened the door for Arsenal to potentially end their long wait to be crowned champions of England once again.

Haaland has scored just once from open play in his last 13 games, and an uncharacteristic lack of confidence from the Norwegian showed with the best chance of the first half inside the opening two minutes.

Silva’s clever pass split the Liverpool defence, but Haaland’s shot lacked conviction under pressure from Milos Kerkez, and Alisson Becker was able to save low to his left.

Second-half slumps have been a consistent feature of City’s season and the visitors again faded in the second period until a late flurry saved their title challenge.

“Second half we pressed really high and played good football,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot. “We have improved so much, but we need to improve the results.”

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Marc Guehi was relentlessly booed after his proposed move to Liverpool from Crystal Palace broke down on transfer deadline day in September.

City took advantage to swoop in last month when they lost two key centre-backs to injury.

Guehi was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he dragged down Mo Salah just outside the box in a decision that infuriated Slot.

But it was City who were left fuming at the award of the free-kick, which led to the opener when Ryan Gravenberch went down under minimal contact.

Szoboszlai scored the only goal with an outrageous free-kick when Arsenal visited Anfield in August and produced another stunning strike which clipped the inside of the post before finding the net.

However, the Hungarian went from hero to villain when City levelled six minutes from time.

Szoboszlai played Silva onside as he slid in to volley home Haaland’s header for City’s first second-half goal in the Premier League this year.

Alisson then wiped out Matheus Nunes to concede a penalty, and Haaland kept his cool from the spot to put City in front.

Pep Guardiola’s men then needed a stunning save from Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip behind Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected shot.

With Alisson remaining forward from the resulting corner, the Liverpool goal was open when Rayan Cherki took aim from the halfway line to roll the ball into an empty net.

However, Haaland and Szoboszlai’s grappling as the ball trickled towards the goal saw the strike ruled out, with a free-kick awarded to City instead, and the Liverpool player given his marching orders.

READ: Real Madrid keep pressure on Barcelona with tight win at Valencia

Manchester City brush aside Newcastle to reach League Cup final

Manchester City will face Arsenal in the League Cup final after ending Newcastle’s reign as holders with a first-half blitz in their 3-1 victory on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side were already in pole position after winning the semi-final first leg on Tyneside in January and they finished the job in ruthless fashion at the Etihad Stadium.

Omar Marmoush struck twice in the first half of the second leg before Tijjani Reijnders put the result beyond doubt.

Anthony Elanga reduced the deficit after the interval, but City’s 5-1 aggregate win sent them back to the League Cup showpiece for the first time since 2021.

City’s final date with Arsenal is set for March 22 at Wembley after the Premier League leaders knocked out Chelsea on Tuesday.

Reaching the final was a welcome tonic for Guardiola following the frustration of blowing a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Sunday that delivered a major blow to their title challenge.

With a crucial trip to Liverpool looming this weekend, City trail Arsenal by six points in the Premier League title race.

The League Cup was the first silverware of Guardiola’s City reign when they beat Arsenal in the 2018 final, with current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta then working as the Spaniard’s assistant.

City went on to win the competition for the following three years, but haven’t lifted the League Cup since 2021.

“We will travel to London again, they will wait for us there. They never travel to the north (for finals) but I am really happy to be back. Five (League Cup) finals in 10 years is a big milestone,” Guardiola said.

“It will be good. You have to live this experience. The first title we won here was in the League Cup.

“When you win something, it helps to win more. It’s a pleasure to play against Arsenal, the best team right now in Europe and maybe the world.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: “Really annoyed with the first half display. We pride ourselves on being really organised and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us.

“That first half we weren’t good enough individually and our duels were off and it gave us huge problems.”

Guardiola used sarcasm and statistics this week to defend City against claims the club’s success has been due to the financial muscle of their Abu Dhabi-based owners.

The City manager pointed out six English clubs have spent more than his side over the past five years, but he knows he will never win over the critics.

Guardiola’s only way to silence the outside noise — and mounting suggestions that City are a team in decline — is with silverware.

And after finishing last season without a trophy for the first time in eight years, Guardiola would love to end City’s barren spell at Arsenal’s expense.

Marmoush put City ahead with a stroke of luck in the seventh minute.

He raced into the Newcastle penalty area and when Dan Burn made a last-ditch tackle, the ball bounced off the Egypt forward and looped into the net.

James Trafford preserved City’s lead, saving from Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon in quick succession.

Marmoush struck for the second time in the 29th minute, heading home from virtually on the goal-line after Kieran Trippier made a hash of clearing Antoine Semenyo’s cross.

That was the culmination of an incisive City counter-attack and they pulled Newcastle apart again with another rapid raid in the 32nd minute.

Reijnders led the break, picking out Semenyo and racing into the area to finish the Ghanaian’s return pass with a clinical low drive from 12 yards.

City barely got out of first gear in the second half and Elanga got one back in the 62nd minute, curling into the far corner after slaloming through the defence.

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Haaland ends barren run as City reach Champions League last 16

Erling Haaland ended his 10-game wait for a goal from open play as Manchester City beat Galatasaray 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16.

Rayan Cherki was also on target for Pep Guardiola’s men, who took advantage of results elsewhere going their way to sneak into the top eight and avoid a perilous play-off next month.

“With a bit of drama, we did it,” said City captain Bernardo Silva.

“With the schedule, with the amount of injuries we have at the moment, to have those two full weeks to prepare the team, to recover some players, to focus on other competitions for now is going to be really good.”

City know the dangers of the play-off round only too well after being dumped out at that stage by Real Madrid 12 months ago.

A week on from an embarrassing defeat to Bodo/Glimt that put their place in the top eight at risk, Manchester City made amends against a Galatasaray side that will go into the play-offs.

Haaland had been left on the bench by Guardiola for the first time in the Premier League this season for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolves.

The Norwegian’s only goal since December 27 prior to Wednesday, had come from the penalty spot against Brighton.

But Haaland showed no signs of a lack of confidence when he nonchalantly lifted the ball over Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from Jeremy Doku’s fine through ball.

Doku was also the creator of the second goal when he picked out Cherki inside the box to slam low into the corner.

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But the Belgian’s departure soon after, with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, was the one sour note of the night for Guardiola.

“It’s a big miss,” said Guardiola. “Jeremy is such an important player for many reasons.”

With City still in the running for silverware in four competitions, they were desperate to avoid adding two more games to a congested calendar in February.

Marc Guehi was not yet eligible to play in the Champions League, forcing Guardiola to name an experimental defence without centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

But the Turkish champions failed to seriously test City’s weak spot despite boasting the presence of Victor Osimhen up front.

The Nigerian forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into one stop just after the hour mark, but his shot was too close to the giant Italian.

Guardiola continued to frantically prowl the touchline in the second period, but all the drama was taking place away from the Etihad Stadium to secure City’s place in the last 16.

Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat at Benfica and a 1-1 draw between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle saw all three miss the chance to finish ahead of City.

Madrid could await in March as the 15-time European champions are one of City’s four possible opponents in the last 16 alongside Inter Milan, Benfica and Bodo/Glimt.

READ: Salah ends goal drought as Liverpool reach Champions League last 16

Guardiola confident as Man City chase ‘world’s best’ Arsenal

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City are tasked with chasing down the best team in the world in Premier League leaders Arsenal as he launched a defiant defence of his players after a chastening week.

City were well beaten by local rivals Manchester United last weekend before suffering one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history away to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.

Guardiola’s men are yet to win a league game in 2026, allowing Arsenal to open up a seven-point lead in the title race.

But the City boss backed his “extraordinary” group of players to respond as they remain in contention for silverware in four competitions.

“Absolutely, the best team right now in the world,” said Guardiola on the challenge of chasing down Arsenal, who have also won all seven of their Champions League matches.

“So look in the Champions League, in the Premier League, look in (the) FA Cup, in Carabao Cup – it’s the best team right now.

“Hopefully we can be close and getting better, getting better and have the chance to catch them.

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“I have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. And we are all together. We are a fantastic football team, I don’t have any doubts about that.”

City’s dip in form has coincided with the loss of key defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to injury.

The arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace should mitigate their absence with the England international set to make his debut against Wolves on Saturday.

“It’s going to help us because the experience of Mark is exceptional,” added Guardiola.

“Considering the absence of central defenders it’s really good.”

Dias, Gvardiol and Nico Gonzalez remain sidelined for City, but Matheus Nunes could return after missing the last two games with a virus.

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Man City sign Palace’s Marc Guehi on five-year deal

Manchester City signed Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of £20 million ($27 million) on Monday.

City stepped up their pursuit of the England international after suffering an injury crisis at centre-half.

Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, is City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for about £65 million.

“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” Guehi said.

“This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players.

“It feels good to be able to say that. I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen.”

City boss Pep Guardiola praised his club for sealing the deal for the highly sought after defender.

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“A top central defender, playing for the national team. Personally, thanks to the club to bring him here because he’s come at the perfect age, he can play right and left,” he said.

“I know how much he wanted to choose us. With the problems that we have in the back in the next few months it’s really, really important he’s here.

“I’m pretty sure if he had a long contract at Crystal Palace it would have been impossible, but the fact that it’s six months (left), end of contract, the situation was easier in those terms.”

The Chelsea academy graduate played 188 times for Palace after moving to Selhurst Park from the Blues in 2021.

He captained Palace to FA Cup glory against City in May — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.

Other teams reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi would have been a free agent.

Guardiola’s men, dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool last year, are second in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

Central defenders John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all missed from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The club are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Guardiola has overseen an expensive rebuild of his squad over the past year, with a clutch of long-serving players exiting the club, including Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson.

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Man City in ‘final stages’ of Marc Guehi deal

Manchester City are in the “final stages” of completing a deal for England defender Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday.

City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at centre-half.

Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, would become City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth last week for about £65 million.

The 25-year-old captained Palace to FA Cup success in May against City — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.

Other clubs reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi was due to be a free agent.

“Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said on the eve of Palace’s Premier League match at Sunderland.

“We can’t confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”

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The Palace boss added: “When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.

“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 percent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.

“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”

City manager Pep Guardiola stressed he had “nothing to say” about the potential transfer at his own press conference ahead of his side’s match at Manchester United.

The club are currently without senior centre-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week due to fitness issues.

Guardiola, whose team are second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, said the club were “in a difficult situation for not one game but a long, long period”, adding: “Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we’ll see.”

City are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Glasner also said Friday he would leave Palace when his own contract expired at the end of the season.

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Guardiola prioritises Man City ‘growth’ over trophies

Pep Guardiola says he cares more about how Manchester City “grow up” than winning trophies as he prepares his side for the first leg of their League Cup semi-final away to Newcastle on Tuesday.

City ended last season without a major trophy for the first time in eight years, though they did lift the Community Shield at the start of the campaign, beating Manchester United on penalties.

Guardiola, asked at his pre-match press conference on Monday if he felt extra pressure after missing out on the big prizes last season, insisted he was not focused on silverware.

“It’s not about winning or not winning trophies, it’s about how the team grows up, how the team is better,” the City manager said.

“Last season we didn’t deserve to win more than just one trophy, because we didn’t play good. So satisfaction to win a trophy when we are not playing good, can happen, you know, knockout stages, (you can be) lucky.

“It’s not about that. Believe me, it’s not about that. We are here to make the team play better, the satisfaction is to make a good performance for ourselves, our fans.”

Guardiola, who has rebuilt his squad over the past year following the departures of key players, said the point was to improve game by game.

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“That is the target, and all the time has been like that,” he explained. “And after, when you are in that process, and you fight for the title, you can win it.

“But after the title, big compliments, the day after, a little bit less compliments, two days after, three days, it’s forgotten. It’s another. So it’s the journey, it’s how you improve. That is what you have to do to live our profession.”

City won the League Cup for four seasons in a row from 2018, with the competition proving a launchpad for a decade of domination of English football under Guardiola.

Last season they were dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool and they trail leaders Arsenal by six points in the current campaign.

Chelsea host Arsenal in the first leg of the other League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

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