Sports
UEFA Champions League : Guardiola names who to blame for Man City’s 2-0 defeat to Leverkusen
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has blamed himself for his team’s shock home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Going into the game, Guardiola made ten changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the Champions League on Saturday.
He dropped the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ruben Dias on the bench...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
His tactics did not work as Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrick Schick scored either halves to secure Leverkusen a win at the Etihad Stadium.
He later introduced Haaland, Foden, Doku and Rayan Cherki but it was too late as the German team left England with a clean sheet.
“I understand. I understand your question. Absolutely I have to accept it. I have to accept,” Guardiola told TNT Sports when asked about his team selection.
“If we win, it would not be a problem. I accept maybe it’s a lot, but playing every two, three, four days… But maybe it’s too much, you’re right. Seeing the result, maybe it’s too much.
“It was not the performance we thought,’ he said. ‘Maybe I’ll take full responsibility, still I think the players that started are exceptional players.
“But we missed something we needed at the highest level. It was an incredible opportunity, now we have to fight in the next games.
“They [Leverkusen] were good. In general we also did some very good things, we had chances, half chances; always blocked, always we slipped, always it was something there.
“We didn’t believe, ‘OK it’s the moment to attack, we attack’ or ‘OK it’s the moment to defend, we defend’. It’s not being in the position, it’s being present defensively and offensively we have to have the determination, ‘OK I’m going to make a move, make some situations that we can do’ Sometimes it happens.”
Manchester City are now sixth in the Champions League group stage table.
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran “will be participating” in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, dismissing calls for Italy to replace them. Iran is currently embroiled in a war with the USA and Israel, raising doubts about their participation. Infantino said, “The reason is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.” Iran’s group matches are scheduled to be played in the United States.
Key Points:
Iran was the only country not represented at Thursday’s FIFA congress in Vancouver.
Trump’s special envoy had pushed for Italy to replace Iran, claiming a “more than 50 per cent chance.”
Italian football officials have insisted they would not want to be added to the tournament this way.
Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Infantino’s statement rules out the possibility of an Italy recall.
Sources: Complete Sports
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has reaffirmed his commitment to Galatasaray amid growing transfer speculation linking him to Barcelona and Arsenal. The 27-year-old said, “I think I’ve found a home here where I am comfortable.” Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli two years ago before completing a permanent €75 million transfer last summer. He has recorded 57 goals and 15 assists in 72 appearances for the Turkish giants.
Key Points:
Osimhen is the highest earner in Turkey with a package of around €21 million net.
He praised the club’s atmosphere, calling it “family, love, unity, and utmost respect.”
He said hundreds of fans crowded the airport to welcome him upon arrival.
The club organised an elaborate tifo to honour him and his late mother.
Any formal bid would need to be in the nine-figure range...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Osimhen’s comments suggest he is settled in Istanbul and not looking for a move.
Sources: Soccernet, Complete Sports
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh has praised the late Nigerian football legend Stephen Keshi as the nation’s “first genuine superstar.” Speaking on the Global Football Insights podcast, Oliseh said:
“We never questioned his quality as a player because you could see how he performed. This man was the first superstar of Nigerian football.” He highlighted Keshi’s leadership, professionalism, and impact both on and off the field.
Key Points:..TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Keshi became the first Nigerian to play in a major UEFA club competition final.
He was a member of the victorious 1994 Super Eagles AFCON-winning team.
Oliseh noted Keshi would fly from Belgium to play at AFCON and return to his club.
He described Keshi as disciplined and a winner who “led by example.”
Keshi’s playing career included stints in Belgium, France, and the Ivory Coast.
Oliseh emphasised that Keshi’s performances were self-evident and propelled him to legendary status.
Sources: Complete Sports
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Breaking News8 months agoWorld’s Youngest Undergraduate is Nigerian JOSHUA BECKFORD, gained admission in Oxford University at the age of Six years
Breaking News6 months agoJUST IN: Finally United States President Donald Trump Revokes 80,000 Visas of Nigerians, Other Foreign Nationals
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Woman in Trouble For Burning 7-year-old Girl’s Private Parts With Hot Knife
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: FULL DETAILS! Top Secret Leaked Why SIM Fubara Fails to Return to Government House After Reinstatement
Breaking News6 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Nigerian Billionaire Lawmaker Ned Nwoko, Orders Arrest of His Mother In Law Regina Daniels’ Mother, Rita
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Federal Government Releases Proof of N25,000 Cash Transfers to 71 Million Nigerians in 8.1 Million Households
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Another Rivers Saga: Just Reinstated Fubara Told to Sack All Sole Administrators Appointees, Seek Tinubu’s Assurance Over Impeachment
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Finally Department of State Services (DSS) summons Sowore over post on Tinubu