His strikers “have to be aggressive and pick the ball up, but didn’t at this crucial time,” Guardiola complained, before adding: “That’s why we are out.” He then turned on his players as a collective, insisting they had failed to take on board and implement his tactical masterplan. “I tried to convince them in all the meetings we had to come here, try to attack and score,” he said. “My mistake was being not able to convince them to do that.” Even though, Guardiola referred to “my mistake,” it did not seem a particularly genuine mea culpa. Instead, the City…
Author: David Folami
It would have been a familiar feeling for Theo Walcott, even if the sting felt deeper and rather more painful this time. He has been dropped by England before but Gareth Southgate’s phone call on Thursday was doubly unfortunate due to the date the news was delivered. Yesterday, Walcott celebrated his 28th birthday. That’s one way to poop a party. When Walcott was dumped by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup, it famously ruined a round of golf and left the then 21-year-old heartbroken. His absence from the Euro 2016 travelling party last summer was less of a surprise…
Playing in a more advanced role on the right in a 3-4-3 formation, Valencia went past Rostov’s Khoren Bayramyan on several occasions in the first half, right in front of the eyes of both managers and the tiny pocket of fewer than 100 travelling fans. The opening period was not over when the Russians’ No. 19 was put out of his misery and switched infield. Valencia, though, remained effective in driving forward, going past opponents and crossing accurately for United’s attackers in the hope that they would kill the hopes of their obstinate opponents, who, until Mata’s 70th-minute goal, were…
United’s next opponents, Anderlecht, are currently top of the Belgian Jupiler League but haven’t shone in Europe so far this season. In the group stages, they lost one match and drew the other against St Etienne, a side United beat 4-0 on aggregate in the knockout round. You can’t judge a team solely by the results they’ve achieved, as FC Rostov proved in the round of 16. The Russian Premier League side beat the likes of Bayern Munich and Ajax earlier this season, but posed little threat to United over the two legs. Therefore, it would be unfair to rule…
The latest issue he has an axe to grind over is his team’s fixture pile-up between now and the end of the season. Thursday’s victory over Rostov was their 47th match of the campaign thus far, including the Community Shield. Mourinho has already led his side to victory in the EFL Cup final — which caused their game at Manchester City to be postponed — and they are now in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. United were knocked out of the FA Cup at Chelsea on Monday after four games in that competition, but that tie necessitated the postponement…
BAYERN MUNICH: BOOM! The big one as Bayern Munich face holders Real Madrid. But Bayern will be relieved to avoid an all-German clash (no, it’s not a Klassiker) and also avoid Real’s noisy neighbours Atletico, who dumped them out in the semifinals last time under Pep Guardiola. Of course, the main narrative will surround Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti plotting his way past Real, whom he led to the historic La Decima, thrashing Guardiola’s Bayern 5-0 on aggregate in the last four in 2014. Arjen Robben, Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos will all face former clubs, too. REAL MADRID: Real Madrid…
Karanka, Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid, was relieved of his duties on Thursday with Middlesbrough in the Premier League relegation zone. Since arriving at the club three years ago, Karanka averted the threat of relegation from the Championship before steering them to a playoff final and then automatic promotion last season. And speaking at a news conference before United take on Boro at Old Trafford on Sunday, Mourinho said: “In this case, I know the names” when asked whether player power had led to the manager’s departure. The United manager sarcastically said Karanka “deserved to be sacked.” He added: “In…
Manchester City lost 3-1 to the Ligue 1 leaders on Wednesday night as his side crashed out in the round of 16. Monaco dominated the first half with their high-pressing causing huge problems to City’s defence and stopping them passing through midfield and creating chances. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool play in a similar style. But Guardiola said he won’t alter his tactics, particularly after City improved massively in the second half. “Of course we have to defend better but I think in 12-15 minutes against Monaco we created five chances and few teams can do that,” he told a news conference.…
Mourinho is angry that his team play at Middlesbrough at noon on Sunday, soon after their Europa League win against FC Rostov at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Speaking at a news conference, he said football governing bodies in “every” other country tried to help clubs in Europe in the way they scheduled domestic fixtures. And he said United’s situation was far tougher than any of their rivals near the top of the table with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City now out of European football this season. “We played 11 matches in the last six weeks and it’s going to…
Atletico director Clemente Villaverde was asked on beIN Sports whether his team were delighted to have drawn Leicester, seen by most pundits in Spain as the weakest of the eight teams left in the competition. “I don’t know about that, as in their last tie and in the groups they showed they are a team who must be taken into account,” Villaverde said. “When you are in the quarterfinals, among the best eight teams in Europe, you must respect all opponents. “Leicester are here on their own merits. They overcome a very important team like Sevilla in the last round.…
Toure, back in the City side having been frozen out by coach Pep Guardiola earlier in the season over comments made by agent Dimitri Seluk, had been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League. The 33-year-old, who has been at City for seven years, has yet to be offered a new contract. Seluk said he expected Toure to leave in the summer and suggested he could cross Manchester to play for City’s closest rivals. “Why not? Jose Mourinho is a very good coach. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was together with Yaya in Barcelona,” he added. “I understand this is two…
Their bonkers 6-6 aggregate draw with Leonardo Jardim’s side consigned Pep Guardiola to an early Champions League exit on the away-goals rule, and though it might not prove as memorable as the aforementioned defeats, it has prompted another debate about the exact strength of the Premier League. The statistics did the rounds on social media quickly after full-time. In the past five seasons, England have provided just four Champions League quarterfinalists. Compared to Spain (15) and Germany (nine), it’s a particularly poor figure, with France (six) also ahead. Italy (three), Portugal (two) and Turkey (one) complete the lineup. In basic…
Few hours to her performance at the Afropolitan Vibes, singer Cynthia Morgan is sick! The ‘German juice’ star is set to perform at 8 pm today at Freedom park but has been struck with a fever. She took to Instagram today, March 17, 2017, to break the news to fans looking forward to her performances. She wrote, “Good morning guys… I know you are looking forward to watching me perform at Afropolitan vibes tonight, But I developed a fever last night and I won’t be able to make it. I need all your love and prayers as I recover. I…
Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the committee will not surrender the party to anybody in an undemocratic manner. Makarfi stated this on Thursday when a delegation of PDP Concerned Grassroots Stakeholders from Borno visited him at the party’s temporary secretariat in Abuja. He assured them that irrespective of the legal outcome of the leadership crisis, PDP’s democratic principles would not be abandoned. “Yes, we are open to political resolution provided it is genuine, sincere, comprehensive, democratic, and legally water tight. “We are not surrendering the party in an undemocratic manner to anybody, including…
The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to set up an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the operational activities of telecommunications equipment and services companies/vendors operating in Nigeria. This was to determine whether there were irregularities in the employment status and conditions of Nigerians viz-a-viz their foreign counterparts, both in Nigeria and overseas. The ad hoc committee would evaluate the companies’ administrative and operational procedures and assess their tax compliance status. It would also ascertain the parameters and procedures used by the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in approving funds transfer from these companies. The…
Former Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume has reacted to the Senate’s rejection of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Senate, on Wednesday, March 16, refused to confirm Magu due to a report against him by the Department of State Services (DSS). According to Ndume, if Magu could be rejected due to allegations of corruption, then Senate President, Bukola Saraki should not be occupying the position because he has also been accused of same. “We have all been accused, I have been accused of sponsoring Boko Haram, the senate president is still going to…
Many villagers have been reported dead in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State following an attack by Boko Haram members. The attack is said to have occurred at about 6pm on Wednesday, March 16, when terrorists invade the village in six trucks and several motorcycles. The terrorists reportedly shot sporadically at villagers and also set houses on fire. “Our town is under heavy attack this evening, the insurgents large in number stormed Magumeri at about 6:30pm when Muslim Ummah were performing Magrib prayers,” a fleeing resident, Ali Baba Umar told Vanguard. “I cannot ascertain the number of casualty…
Born on March 17, 1972, the actor is a native of Anambra State. Chidi Mokeme made his acting debut in 1995, with the movie “Goodbye Tomorrow”. He studied Computer Science at the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu. In 2004, the actor made his debut as the Gulder Ultimate Search host.
Nigerian singer Banky W has renewed his contract with tech company, Samsung. This comes few days after he lost some properties to a fire incident in his Lekki residence. The excited ‘Made for you’ singer took to Instagram today, March 17, 2017, to share the news. “Feeling really #blessed today as I’ve just renewed my contract for yet ANOTHER year with my @samsungmobileng family. Working with and repping the brand has been an amazing honour.. big shout out to the MD Emmanouil Revmatas, the brand manager, and the entire team in the building. I’m proud of the work we have…
Wizkid has joined the blonde gang! The music star debuted his new look on Instagram today, March 17, 2017. “Issa Vibe,” he captioned it. Joining the likes of Olamide and Lil Kesh who have also gone blonde. Are you feeling his new look? Do you think he should maintain it or ditch the blonde?