MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola said he has “everything a manager could dream of” at Manchester City as Erling Haaland is set to return from a two-month injury layoff against Burnley on Wednesday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and Guardiola’s former player Xavi, who is now in coach of Barcelona, both announced their intention to step down at the end of the season in recent days, citing the emotional strain that comes with management at the top level.
Guardiola also cut short his hugely successful spell in charge of Barca after four years and spent only three seasons at Bayern Munich before arriving in Manchester in 2016.
Now into his eighth season at City, Guardiola has racked up five Premier League titles and the club’s first ever Champions League among 15 major trophies.
But the 53-year-old said he had no intention of stepping down soon, praising the environment that surrounds him at the Etihad.
“I have everything that a manager could dream of,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“The hierarchy they always support me. We have changed a lot of players in seven years but all of them have been incredibly supportive.
“(It’s a) good environment so I have everything. Still, I feel good and of course one day it is going to finish but I don’t think about that right now.”
City look primed to add to that trophy haul with Haaland back fit for the business end of the season.
The Norwegian has been sidelined for the past 10 games, but City have won nine and drawn one of them — lifting the Club World Cup in that time — and remain on course to defend their treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
“Erling is an important player for us. Two months out, but he feels good — we have a training session (today), but apparently tomorrow he will be with us,” added Guardiola.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have also recently returned from injuries, while defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji could also make their comeback in midweek.
“The most important news is almost all the squad are fit,” added Guardiola.
“That is the best news. The important part of season starts now. FA Cup, the Champions League is around the corner and of course the Premier League — it’s important that we have everyone available. We have all the squad, we are stronger definitely.”
City are five points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League but have a game in hand.
Guardiola’s men ended their hex at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup and are huge favorites to progress when they face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League last 16 next month.
And Guardiola said he can afford to throw Haaland back into the thick of the action quicker than De Bruyne, whose return has been managed after five months out with a hamstring tear.
“Kevin’s was muscular with surgery,” he said. “Erling’s was a stress on the bone, so a different approach.”
Guardiola still loving ‘dream’ Man City job as Haaland returns
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Guardiola still loving ‘dream’ Man City job as Haaland returns
- Pep said he had no intention of stepping down soon, praising the environment that surrounds him at the Etihad
- “Still, I feel good and of course one day it is going to finish but I don’t think about that right now”
Salah poses for celebration selfie with Liverpool fans in Premier League title-winning victory
- Arne Slot’s men stormed back after conceding a surprise early goal
- Top-scorer Salah scored the goal the crowd craved, celebrated by grabbing a fan’s phone before taking a selfie in front of the Kop
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool demolished Tottenham 5-1 to clinch the Premier League title at an impassioned Anfield on Sunday, sealing a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown.
Arne Slot’s men stormed back after conceding a surprise early goal to dominate the first half as the decibel level soared among 60,000-plus crowd.
Liverpool, who can no longer be caught by second-placed Arsenal, are now level with bitter rivals Manchester United as the joint-most successful club in English top-flight history.
Slot’s men started on the front foot at an expectant Anfield after a stirring rendition of club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in the warm spring sunshine.
Mohamed Salah had an early sighter and Cody Gakpo went close with a spectacular overhead kick but Tottenham briefly threatened to become party poopers when Dominic Solanke powered home a header from a James Maddison corner in the 12th minute.
But Liverpool were level just four minutes later when Luis Diaz converted Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross from close range. The offside flag went up but VAR awarded the goal.
The momentum was now all with Liverpool and the home side took the lead in the 24th minute when Alexis Mac Allister thundered the ball home from the 18-yard line past the flying Guglielmo Vicario.
Now the party was well and truly started and Gakpo made it 3-1, slamming a shot into the bottom corner after Spurs failed to clear.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou had made eight changes from the team that lost to Nottingham Forest last week as he prioritizes the semifinals of the Europa League and they now had a mountain to climb.
The Liverpool fans — deprived of celebrating the 2020 Premier League trophy due to COVID-19 restrictions, ran through their full repertoire of songs as their team pushed for a fourth goal in the second half.
Top-scorer Salah scored the goal the crowd craved, collecting Szoboszlai’s pass before cutting in and blasting his shot into the bottom corner.
He celebrated by grabbing a fan’s phone before taking a selfie in front of the Kop.
Deafening cheers of “We’re going to win the league” and “We shall not be moved” rang out.
Liverpool had a fifth when Spurs defender Destiny Udogie poked the ball past his own goalkeeper from close range with about 20 minutes to go as the game turned into a procession.
As the game went into added time the club’s anthem rang out again as scarves were held aloft and the final whistle elicited a thunderous roar.
The win leaves Liverpool on 82 points, 15 clear of nearest challengers Arsenal with just four games remaining.
Tottenham are a miserable 16th in the Premier League table after their 19th defeat of the season, putting Postecoglou under enormous pressure.
Tens of thousands of fans swarmed around Anfield in the build-up to kick-off in anticipation of Liverpool’s coronation, setting off flares as the home team bus arrived.
Flags and scarves saying “Liverpool 20-time Champions” were on sale from stalls outside the ground.
At the start of the campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were favorites to extend their dynastic Premier League reign and make it five titles in a row but their form collapsed.
Arsenal emerged as their closest challengers but they drew too many games, failing to take advantage of the rare Liverpool slip-ups.
It was feared Liverpool’s players would need time to adapt to the methods of Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp last June following the German’s departure after nine trophy-filled years at Anfield.
But the former Feyenoord boss has sailed serenely through the season despite relentless speculation over the futures of three of his biggest stars — Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Both Salah and Van Dijk have now signed two-year extensions, though England defender Alexander-Arnold is believed likely to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.
Barcelona beat Real Madrid in extra time to win Copa del Rey final
- Barcelona will carry this momentum into Wednesday’s start of their Champions League semifinal series against Inter Milan
- Barcelona have beaten Madrid in all three of the clasicos this season
- King Felipe VI awarded the trophy to Barcelona, after the monarch flew back to Spain following his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican
SEVILLE, Spain: Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time to claim a record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title on Saturday and launch their bid for a treble.
Pedri Gonzalez scored from long range to give Barcelona the lead in the 28th minute at La Cartuja Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe came off the bench at halftime and scored from a free kick for Real Madrid in the 70th. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni gave Madrid the lead with a header in the 77th.
But Ferran Torres leveled in the 84th and forced extra time.
Jules Kounde then pounced on a pass by Brahim Diaz and slotted a shot into the low corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net for the 116th-minute winner.
Barcelona will carry this momentum into Wednesday’s start of their Champions League semifinal series against Inter Milan. They also lead La Liga by four points over Madrid.
Barcelona have beaten Madrid in all three of the clasicos this season. They routed Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January after winning 4-0 at Madrid in the local league in October.
“This was such a physically demanding game, but we showed that we are a great team that never gives up,” said Torres, who filled in perfectly for the injured Robert Lewandowski.
Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was shown a red card by the referee in the final minute of extra time.
The loss to their fierce rival was another blow to Madrid after they were knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Arsenal.
This could have been their last title decider with Carlo Ancelotti in charge. The Italian coach said he will decide his future this summer amid speculation he is bound to take over Brazil.
King Felipe VI awarded the trophy to Barcelona, after the monarch flew back to Spain following his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.
Barcelona dominate first half
One of the biggest rivalries in global soccer was again a tale of two halves — until Torres scored the late equalizer against the flow of play to renew Barcelona’s prospects.
Barcelona dominated the first half as it kept the action in Madrid’s half thanks to its ball control and pressure defense that was quick to recover the ball.
The only semblance of a Madrid attack came when Jude Bellingham was able to spin away from his marker and beat Barcelona’s pressure defense.
But a Bellingham pass intercepted by Pau Cubarsí cued Barcelona’s opener. Pedri lobbed forward for Yamal, breaking down the flank. The 17-year-old phenom — sporting a new dyed-blonde hairdo — threaded a pass back to the top of the box, where Pedri arrived to blast it home.
Raphinha went close to adding a second goal with some help by Rudiger when the Brazilian’s corker kick grazed the defender and hit the far post.
Mbappe sparks Madrid fightback
Mbappe started the game on the bench after injuring his ankle last week. But Ancelotti sent his striker on at halftime to replace Rodrygo. Luka Modric and playmaker Arda Guler soon followed.
The changes helped Madrid click, and the game became a back-and-forth contest with both teams creating scoring chances after Barcelona’s control was shattered.
Wojciech Szczesny had to protect Barcelona’s lead with three saves to deny Vinícius Junior and Mbappe. The goalkeeper could do nothing, however, to stop Mbappe after he earned a foul and fired a free kick low and just inside the post.
Tchouameni rose up to head in a corner kick that Guler curled into to the edge of the six-yard box.
Barcelona finish it off
Torres brought Barcelona back when Yamal put a long ball behind the defense and Courtois mistimed his run out to intercept it, leaving Torres with an open net.
Raphinha thought he had a penalty in the final minute of injury time after contact with Raul Asencio. But the referee, who the day before the final denounced a campaign to discredit him by Real Madrid’s official club television, waived off his initial decision after consulting video.
With several players clearly exhausted in extra time the game appeared destined to finish in a penalty shootout. But that was when Koundé became the hero for the Catalan club.
Al-Ahli down Buriram to set up all-Saudi Asian Champions League semi
- Strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Galeno gave Al-Ahli a two-goal lead by the sixth minute
- “It was the perfect match,” said delighted Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle
JEDDAH: Al-Ahli handed Thailand’s Buriram United a 3-0 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Saturday, with victory setting up an all-Saudi Pro League semifinal against Al-Hilal next Tuesday.
Strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Galeno gave Al-Ahli a two-goal lead by the sixth minute and Roberto Firmino added the third 15 minutes before the interval to complete a comfortable win at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
“It was the perfect match,” said delighted Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle. “We started with the incredible energy the fans were bringing in the stadium, it carried onto the pitch so we could score and score and score. That was something important to dominate the game.”
Al-Ahli, runners up in 1986 and 2012, will continue their quest for their first continental title against compatriots and four-times champions Al-Hilal, who handed South Korea’s Gwangju a 7-0 thrashing on Friday to progress to the last four.
Former Manchester City winger Mahrez put the home side in front after four minutes, showing composure to slide the ball into the bottom corner of Neil Etheridge’s goal after being found unmarked on the right by Firmino.
Two minutes later Al-Ahli doubled their advantage when Galeno drove into the penalty area from the left to meet Roger Ibanez’s defense-splitting pass from deep and push a clinical finish through the legs of the Buriram United goalkeeper.
In a frantic start, Buriram thought they had been given a lifeline when referee Ahmed Al-Kaf pointed to the spot as Merih Demiral brought Martin Boakye down. The penalty decision was overturned when the Omani consulted the pitchside monitor.
Despite that disappointment, Buriram appeared to have weathered the worst of the Al-Ahli pressure, only to concede a third in the 30th minute.
Mahrez’s corner was met by Demiral as he leapt virtually unchallenged on the edge of the six-yard box and Firmino pounced at the far post to push the Turkish defender’s header over the line from close range.
Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was called upon to make a rare save in first-half injury time when he gathered Seksan Ratree’s header and, with a comfortable lead, the home side moved into cruise control after the break.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the latter stages of the Asian Champions League Elite with the quarter-finals, semis and final being played in Jeddah.
In the remaining last-eight ties, Saudi side Al-Nassr face Yokohama F Marinos from Japan on Saturday and Al-Sadd of Qatar meet J-League outfit Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday.
The semifinals will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday with the final on May 3.
Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
- Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast
- “All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said
LONDON: Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr’s double and a rocket from Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.
Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast before Sarr netted twice in the second half.
In the final on May 17, Palace will face Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semifinal on Sunday.
The Eagles have never won the FA Cup, losing their two final appearances against Manchester United in 2016 and 1990.
“All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said.
“We got more control and it was an unbelievable performance. The players stuck to the plan and we never lost our heads.
“I don’t know at the moment how I feel — a bit exhausted. The players have four days off now. They should enjoy the moment.”
Villa, who last won the FA Cup in 1957, were hoping to make the final for the first time since 2015.
But Unai Emery’s team produced a dismal display and will have to settle for fighting to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish in the Premier League.
“When they scored the first goal it was more difficult for us and we only reacted after 2-0 and then we created more chances to score and we didn’t do. In transition they are very good, and they deserve to win,” Emery said.
“Sorry to our supporters because they were motivated. We have to accept it. We have to be quick to react because in the league we have the most important objective.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, but it was chalked off after a VAR check confirmed the Palace striker had fouled Ezri Konsa in the build-up.
There was no such doubt about Eze’s opener, however, after Sarr got in the way of Pau Torres’ pass, then collected the resulting ricochet to the right of the Villa area.
Sarr found Eze and the midfielder curled a superb strike beyond the reach of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Torres looked for an instant reply when he nodded just over the crossbar.
Konsa came closer, forcing Dean Henderson into a low save with a header of his own from a corner.
Villa piled on more pressure after the restart when Henderson made another fine save to deny John McGinn’s sharp volley, then Lucas Digne fired narrowly wide through a crowd of players.
Palace were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty after Eze was tugged down by Boubacar Kamara and Mateta stepped up to the spot after a VAR check, but his shot clipped the post and went wide.
Just as Villa started to gain momentum, Adam Wharton intercepted a pass and, after a quick touch from Mateta, Sarr fired into the bottom corner.
Henderson repelled a blast from Villa substitute Leon Bailey, moments after Mateta slid in to deny Ross Barkley.
Sarr nodded Eze’s cross off target, while Matty Cash’s attempt to claw a late goal back for Villa sailed wide.
Sarr put the seal on Palace’s impressive performance in stoppage-time, outpacing Konsa before slotting home to send the Eagles into the final.
Nice defender Abdelmonem sidelined with cruciate ligament tear
- “His injury will remain the dark cloud hanging over Nice’s victory in Paris over PSG,” Nice said
- "Mohamed has suffered a cruciate ligament rupture”
PARIS: Egyptian defender Mohamed Abdelmonem suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee during Nice’s 3-1 win over Ligue 1 leaders Paris St. Germain on Friday, the club said on Saturday.
“His injury will remain the dark cloud hanging over Nice’s victory in Paris over PSG. It was in the 63rd minute of the match at the Parc des Princes when Mohamed Abdelmonem collapsed in Nice’s penalty area,” Nice said in statement.
“The first images led us to fear that it was a serious injury. The various medical examinations carried out immediately after the match confirmed ... Mohamed has suffered a cruciate ligament rupture.
“OGC Nice dedicates the three points to him and will do everything possible to support him during his months of recovery so that he can return to the pitch even stronger.”
The victory lifted Nice to fourth in the standings with 54 points from 31 games.
