-
)
Serie A
04 Jan 13:30
)
Lazio
)
SSCNapoli
0 2 -
)
Premier
04 Jan 14:30
)
LeedsUnite
)
Manchester
1 1 -
)
LaLiga
04 Jan 15:00
)
Sevilla
)
Levante
0 3 -
Serie A
04 Jan 16:00
)
Fiorentina
)
Cremonese
1 0 -
)
Ligue 1
04 Jan 16:00
)
Marseille
)
Nantes
0 2 -
Premier
04 Jan 17:00
)
Everton
)
Brentford
2 4 -
Premier
04 Jan 17:00
)
TottenhamH
)
Sunderland
1 1 -
Premier
04 Jan 17:00
)
NewcastleU
)
CrystalPal
2 0 -
Premier
04 Jan 17:15
)
Fulham
)
Liverpool
2 2 -
LaLiga
04 Jan 17:15
)
RealMadrid
)
RealBetis
5 1 -
Ligue 1
04 Jan 18:15
)
Lorient
)
Metz
1 1 -
Ligue 1
04 Jan 18:15
)
LeHavre
)
Angers
2 1 -
Ligue 1
04 Jan 18:15
)
Brest
)
Auxerre
2 0 -
Serie A
04 Jan 19:00
)
HellasVero
)
Torino
0 3 -
Premier
04 Jan 19:30
)
Manchester
)
Chelsea
1 1 -
LaLiga
04 Jan 19:30
)
DeportivoA
)
RealOviedo
1 1 -
LaLiga
04 Jan 19:30
)
Mallorca
)
Girona
1 2 -
Serie A
04 Jan 21:45
)
Inter
)
Bologna
3 1 -
Ligue 1
04 Jan 21:45
)
ParisSaint
)
ParisFC
2 1 -
LaLiga
04 Jan 22:00
)
RealSocied
)
AtleticoMa
1 1
PEP GUARDIOLA CONFIRMS RODRI AS THE WORLD'S BEST MIDFIELDER AFTER SUNDERLAND RETURN
Rodri makes his long-awaited return! Read Pep Guardiola's honest assessment of Manchester City's 0-0 draw and the latest injuries.
Pep Guardiola didn’t hold back after Rodri’s performance off the bench against Sunderland. Even though City walked away with just a point after a goalless draw, Guardiola made it clear: this is what they’ve been missing for the past year and a half.
City wanted the win, not just to break Sunderland’s unbeaten home record, but to keep up with Arsenal, who now sit four points clear at the top. The drawstrings, no question. But when Rodri came on for the injured Nico González in the second half, you could feel the shift. The midfield finally settled down, and City looked more like themselves.
Guardiola was almost relieved. Rodri, who’s barely played in the league since coming back from that nasty cruciate ligament injury last September, is finally getting back to match fitness. And City needs him badly.
“He changed the game,” Guardiola said. “In just 45 minutes, he showed again why he’s the best in his position. We struggled to get things going in the buildup, but once Rodri was out there, it was different. He breaks lines, we move better, and honestly, after a year and a half without him, we’ve really missed him. Hopefully, he can stay fit now because he just makes us better.”
Sure, Arsenal dropped points at Sunderland earlier this season, too, so it’s not an easy ground for anyone. Guardiola admitted as much. “It’s always tough here. We had so many chances in the six-yard box, and we just couldn’t convert. The first half wasn’t great; we didn’t stick to the plan, but overall? We played really well against a fantastic team. I’m proud—my players gave everything to win.”
He knows his players were disappointed after the final whistle, but there’s no time to dwell. Chelsea are up next, and City can’t afford to let their heads drop.
There’s more bad news on the injury front. Both Savinho and Nico had to come off and probably won’t make it for the Chelsea match. “Savinho doesn’t look good,” Guardiola admitted. “Nico, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Rodri, though, was the real bright spot. He came on at halftime, completed 52 passes, and helped City push for a winner. It was his first real appearance since a brief cameo against Bournemouth back in November. After so long out, you could see how much the team missed him.
City had chances. Haaland and Gvardiol both forced great saves from Robin Roefs, and Savinho blasted over from close range. Still, the goal never came. It’s City’s first 0-0 of the season, and now they trail Arsenal by four.
Guardiola summed it up: “It was a really good game, especially the second half. The first half was tight; we just couldn’t finish our chances in the six-yard box. But against an unbeaten home team, I’m proud of the way we played. We did everything to win—it just didn’t happen.”
MANCHESTER CITY TACTICAL PREVIEW—GUARDIOLA CONFIRMS GVARDIOL AND DOKU STARTS FOR SUNDAY
Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad! Discover Pep Guardiola's starting XI, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
Manchester City hosts Chelsea at the Etihad this Sunday, and there’s no hiding it—they want all three points. After that goalless draw at Sunderland, City are itching to get back on track and remind everyone why they’re contenders.
You can expect Pep Guardiola to roll out his usual 4-3-3. He’s likely to shake things up a bit, maybe starting Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol this time.
Let’s look at the back. Gianluigi Donnarumma takes his spot in goal, fresh off a clean sheet. Ruben Dias links up with Gvardiol in the centre of the defence, aiming to keep things tight. Matheus Nunes gets a shot at right-back, trying to prove he belongs. Over on the left, Nico O’Reilly will be looking to impress too. Both fullbacks will pick their moments to push forward, but don’t expect them to forget their defensive duties.
Nathan Ake stays on the bench, ready to jump in if needed.
In midfield, you’ve got Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez, and Bernardo Silva running the show. That trio brings energy and creativity, and they’ll want to take control early. Tijjani Reijnders waits for his chance from the bench. If things need shaking up in the second half, he’ll be ready.
Up front, Jeremy Doku brings his pace to the left wing, and Rayan Cherki works the right. Both guys love running at defenders, so Chelsea’s back line needs to watch out. Erling Haaland leads the line through the middle, and you know he’s always a threat in the box. He’ll be hunting for any sniff of a goal.
Reigan Heskey sits on the bench, maybe coming on late if City needs a spark. If the game’s tight near the end, look for him to get involved.
All in all, City wants to bounce back. They’ll go for it at home, and you can bet the Etihad will be rocking.
REVEALED: THE EXACT WORDS PEP GUARDIOLA USED TO DISMISS ENZO MARESCA’S SUCCESSION RUMORS
Pep Guardiola reiterates his Man City commitment after Enzo Maresca was sacked by Chelsea for discussing the Etihad job.
Pep Guardiola isn’t going anywhere—at least, that’s what he keeps saying. When asked about rumours that Enzo Maresca talked to people at Manchester City about possibly replacing him, Guardiola just shrugged it off. “I’ve said it a million times,” he told reporters. “I have a contract. I know you’re all tired of hearing from me after ten years. Maybe you want me gone. I get it. But I’m happy here. I’m fighting with my team. The club’s leadership has always backed me, even when we went months without a win last season. They stood by me. So what else can I say? I’ve got another year on my contract, and I want to stay. We’ll see how things go.”
This all comes as Chelsea heads to Manchester to face City, still dealing with the fallout from Maresca’s sudden exit. Calum McFarlane, who used to coach City’s academy, is filling in for now. Maresca had two separate stints at City, once as the Under-23 coach and then as Guardiola’s assistant for a year. One big reason for his departure from Chelsea? He told the club he’d spoken to City folks three times this season about taking over from Guardiola. That didn’t sit well with Chelsea’s higher-ups.
City does have backup plans for when Guardiola eventually leaves, and people at the club really respect Maresca. Asked about those rumoured conversations between Maresca and City, Guardiola just said, “No idea. Honestly, you all probably know more than I do.”
Losing Maresca is tough, Guardiola admitted. “Chelsea lost an incredible manager and an incredible person,” he said, still sounding like he’s on good terms with his old colleague. But as he put it, “That’s up to Chelsea’s leadership.” Was he surprised by Maresca’s exit? Guardiola just smiled. “All I know is I’m lucky. I was lucky then, and I’m still lucky now to be at this club. My club is extraordinary.”
Premier League Standings
Must Read
_1767311682.webp)
Read More News