Real Madrid 'keen' on Rodrygo exchange for another Liverpool player, with Slot to 'make the final decision.'

By Damerex -
Image
Reports indicate that Liverpool will allow Arne Slot to have the ‘final say’ as Real Madrid looks to exchange Rodrygo for Alexis Mac Allister this summer.  The Reds clinched the Premier League title on Sunday with four games remaining after defeating Tottenham 5-1 in a dominant performance at Anfield.  Liverpool lead their closest competitors, Arsenal, by 15 points – with the Gunners likely to end up as runners-up for the third consecutive season – and now the Reds can focus on their summer objectives.  Slot’s squad received a significant uplift recently when Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk inked new two-year deals after speculation they might depart on free transfers in the summer.  A player who is highly expected to depart is Trent Alexander-Arnold, with numerous reports suggesting he will move to Real Madrid when his contract ends in late June.  Reports from Spain suggest that Real Madrid may be poised to sign another Liverpool star, as Defensa Central stat...
Post a Comment

Pep Guardiola assesses Man City's prospects of triumphing over Real Madrid in their Champions League clash

By Damerex -

• Man City heads to Spain for the second leg of their playoff match on Wednesday. 

• Real Madrid triumphed in the initial match in Manchester with a score of 3-2, thanks to two late goals. 

• Pep Guardiola was not particularly hopeful regarding City's prospects. 

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola stated that his team has only a "1%" chance of progressing to the Champions League round of 16 before the second leg of their play-off against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. 

Everything might have turned out quite differently. The current Premier League champions held a 2-1 advantage against Madrid with fewer than ten minutes left in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium last Tuesday, prior to two late goals that dramatically shifted the dynamic of the entire matchup. 

Facing a 3-2 aggregate deficit before this week's crucial game in the Spanish capital, City must either beat Madrid by two goals in regular time or win by one goal and then succeed in the following penalty shootout. Guardiola was not excessively hopeful. 

"The margin for victory in [the] Bernabeu in that situation is well-known; if you inquire before the match, the likelihood of advancing, I don’t know, is about 1%, it’s very low," the City manager lamented, before stating: "Yet as [long] as there's a chance, we will make an effort, that's guaranteed." 

City surged to a 4-0 win against Newcastle United on Saturday, suggesting a late resurgence in form, but Guardiola emphasized how subpar his team has been against their high standards. "This season, the truth is, we have been far, far away," the Catalan coach confessed. 

"Our performance and results this season have been extremely, extremely poor, and despite today's one good game, it won’t alter the perception, the truth, about the team as it currently stands, and we are still not doing well on a daily basis." 

Madrid have not been particularly remarkable either. The Spanish powerhouses drew 1-1 with Osasuna over the weekend and have suffered seven defeats in all competitions this season—over three times their total losses for the whole 2023/24 season. 

The availability of Erling Haaland will significantly influence the city's likelihood of success in Spain, as he netted two goals for the English champions in their loss to Madrid last week. The iconic forward hobbled off in the match against Newcastle due to a concerning knee injury, but Guardiola swiftly addressed worries about a lengthy sidelining. 



Comments

Post a Comment

POPULAR POST ON WANDERLUSTSPORT

Is it Raphinha versus Yamal for the Ballon d'Or, or can Dembele achieve it?

By Damerex -
Image
In a year devoid of a significant international tournament, triumphing in the Champions League is undoubtedly crucial for clinching the Ballon d’Or. Therefore, that ought to conclude the discussion about Real Madrid.  Here are the top 10 contenders for the award, based on the bookmakers' odds…  Favorites to claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or   10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia [Paris Saint-Germain] Outstanding since his January transfer from Napoli, aiding the French team in effortlessly securing another league championship while more significantly remaining focused on achieving that coveted Champions League trophy.  9. Kylian Mbappé [Real Madrid] "Personal awards matter as well, such as the Ballon d’Or." I understand what I need to do to achieve victory, many asks both on and off the field. "When I take all the necessary steps to achieve victory, I will achieve it," says the Frenchman.  And if he fails to accomplish all that he must – which he definitely has not – then he will...
Read more

Man City ‘new De Bruyne’ possibilities feature Cole Palmer and Ballon d’Or contender

By Damerex -
Image
Manchester City require a substitute for Kevin de Bruyne, but who should it be? The figures indicate that these 10 playmakers are quite alike in their playing styles.  We examined FBRef for alternatives in Europe's top five leagues that share similar traits to De Bruyne. Specifically, being extremely imaginative and forward-thinking with their passing.  Several of these players have already been associated with City, so the statistics genuinely reflect the truth.  10. Florian Wirtz [Bayer Leverkusen] Last week, the term used for Wirtz was ‘ideal’; he’s youthful, he’s an exceptional player, he seems prepared to advance to the Premier League, and Pep Guardiola reportedly is a huge admirer. So substantial, in fact, that he is prepared to accept the £94m expenditure required to acquire the incredibly skilled German, who is on track for double digits in Bundesliga goal contributions for the second consecutive season.  9. Julian Brandt [Borussia Dortmund] More than ten yea...
Read more

Rashford’s representative ‘seen’ with Manchester City executives as ‘noticeable presence’ in the stands… to observe Aston Villa

By Damerex -
Image
Marcus Rashford’s sibling and representative, Dwaine Maynard, has been ‘seen’ with Manchester City officials as a ‘noticeable presence’ to observe his brother playing football.  Rashford joined Villa on loan in January and achieved four goals and six assists during a mostly impressive period before sustaining a hamstring injury that appears likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season.  Earlier this week, a report suggested that Man Utd and Aston Villa are currently 'negotiating' about ending his loan prematurely.  Rashford realizes that there probably won't be a future for him at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim, so the Red Devils will consider offers. He intends to meet with his employers prior to mid-June.  However, he might have to come back sooner than anticipated if both clubs reach an agreement, as he is unlikely to recover within three weeks. This occurs despite Villa having a £40m purchase option for Rashford included in their loan deal with United....
Read more

Chelsea's ten-man list to take-over Maresca includes a UCL semi-finalist and two club legends

By Damerex -
Image
Although Enzo Maresca emphasizes that the advancements at Chelsea are evident due to the owners' support during his initial season at Stamford Bridge, reports indicate that the Blues' board is now 'split' regarding the Italian's future.  In the face of fan discontent during a stretch where Chelsea has secured only seven victories in 18 Premier League matches, dropping from title contenders to outsiders for Champions League spots, reports indicate there are now ‘significant concerns regarding his style of play,’ and ‘the noticeable decline in performance from star player Cole Palmer has also attracted attention.’  Ending up in the top five will probably save him, with the UEFA Conference League serving as the icing on what would be a successful season. Even if he fails to qualify, it might not result in his dismissal. However, we've prepared a list of 10 managers that we believe the Chelsea leadership will/should consider if they decide to part ways with Maresca....
Read more

Arsenal icon Lehmann issues sack warning to Arteta following Champions League loss to PSG

By Damerex -
Image
Arsenal icon Jens Lehmann asserts that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta will be dismissed next season if he fails to secure the Premier League title.  The Gunners are poised to finish second in the Premier League for the third consecutive season after Liverpool was confirmed as champions on Sunday.  A remarkable 5-1 victory against Tottenham secured the Reds’ 20th English top-tier championship, with Arne Slot’s team 15 points clear of Arsenal as they approached the last four games of the season.  Arsenal have struggled to match Liverpool in the latter half of the season, but their strong performance in the Champions League has lifted their spirits.  Two exceptional performances versus Real Madrid guaranteed a 5-1 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals, securing their spot against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.  Even though Arsenal had several good opportunities to score, they were unable to penetrate PSG's defense during their first leg match. Ousmane Demb...
Read more

Should Enzo Maresca consider benching Cole Palmer? Right now, he is the least effective player on Chelsea...

By Damerex -
Image
Enzo Maresca stated that Cole Palmer's lack of goals was a “mental” problem before the match, emphasizing it was unrelated to him, his strategies, or a playing style that has caused Chelsea to fall from title contenders to Champions League qualification outsiders now firmly established at Stamford Bridge.  "Absolutely, it's all in the mind." I don’t believe it’s tactical, nor do I believe it’s technical, since Cole remains the same player who scored for us this season. The type of football we play is the same as before. The manager remains the same. The club is identical. “Everything remains the same for Cole, and Cole remains unchanged.”  Palmer is evidently experiencing a deficiency in self-assurance. For an extended period during this dry spell, it seemed only a matter of time until he would conclude it, yet the confidence that characterized his exceptional football in his first season and a half at Chelsea now seems to have almost vanished, leading to the astonish...
Read more

'He won't join' – Amorim clarifies reasons Gyokeres might decline summer move to Man Utd

By Damerex -
Image
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shared his thoughts on the possibility of Viktor Gyokeres being attracted to transfer from Sporting CP to Old Trafford this summer.  The Red Devils have faced challenges this season in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim’s team sitting 14th in the standings as they approach the last four games of the season.  Just four Premier League teams have netted fewer goals than Man Utd this season, and Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have faced significant criticism for their goal drought.  Hojlund netted his fourth goal in the Premier League this season during the 1-1 tie with Bournemouth on Sunday, whereas Zirkzee has managed just three.  Currently, there are intentions in the transfer market for Man Utd to acquire a new striker before the next season, with Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap, and others mentioned.  Recent days have seen increasing speculation regarding a possible transfer for Gyokeres, with talk of a pote...
Read more