Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that the club are at risk of missing out on a place in the Champions League next year. The defending Premier League champions are enduring a testing time, slipping down the top-flight table and towards the lower end of the play-off qualification spots in the UEFA Champions League. City are currently in their 14th consecutive season in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. The only English clubs with longer streaks of qualification are Arsenal, who qualified from 1998 to 2017, and Manchester United, who did so from 1996 to 2014. City have won just one of their last nine Premier League games and are seventh in the table, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. “When I said before, people laughed. They said, ‘qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success’. But I know it because it happens with clubs in this country. They were dominant for many years and after they were many years not qualifying for the Champions League,” Guardiola was quoted as saying by BBC. Manchester City is the one that has been in the Champions League for the past years. Now we are at risk, of course we are. Definitely,” he added. Guardiola was critical of those who had prematurely handed the title to City at the start of the season, while also accepting his team had dropped points from winning positions. “People at the beginning of the season started saying ‘City are going to win the Premier League in November’. The people think it’s ordinary to win and win when it’s something extraordinary. Now it’s a little bit the opposite, because it’s extraordinary to lose a lot of games. Some of them could have not happened, we played more than well enough to (take points),” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 08:58 AM IST | Manchester | IANSSporting Lisbon sacked coach Joao Pereira just over a month after he replaced Ruben Amorim at the helm, with Rui Borges appointed as the new boss on Thursday. Pereira was named coach when Amorim left for English giants Manchester United, but has paid the price for Sporting’s sudden loss of form. The capital club, who had a 100-percent record in the Primeira Liga this season before he took over, lost top spot in the Portuguese top-flight to Benfica following a 0-0 draw with Gil Vicente last weekend. Pereira lost his first four Premier League and Champions League matches in charge. His replacement, the 43-year-old Borges, was coach of sixth-placed Vitoria Guimaraes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 06:17 AM IST | Lisbon | AFPErling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved as Manchester City’s astonishing slump continued with a 1-1 draw against lowly Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Winners of the last four Premier League titles, the English champions have won just once in their last 13 games in all competitions. Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for the Toffees. City climb to sixth but could end the day five points adrift of the top four. A hard-fought point for the visitors edges Everton five clear of the relegation zone in 15th. City boss Pep Guardiola conceded ahead of the game that his side are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 15 years. The top four automatically qualify for Europe’s premier club competition but fifth is likely to be enough this season due to a strong start by English clubs in European competition. City fail to hold on to lead Not for the first time in City’s miserable few months they failed to build on a promising start. Josko Gvardiol headed a corner off the post inside the opening three minutes. Everton had kept five clean sheets in their last six games but were breached after just 14 minutes. Jeremy Doku fed Silva and his effort across goal deflected off Jarrad Branthwaite and looped beyond the helpless Jordan Pickford. Silva wasted a glorious chance for the vital second goal when he attempted a tough finish with the outside of his left boot that flew past the post when he had just Pickford to beat. Guardiola held his head in his hands as that opportunity slipped by and had even more reason to lament moments later. Manuel Akanji sliced an attempted clearance into the path of Ndiaye, who took one touch to control before unleashing a brilliant finish into the top corner for Everton’s first away goal in over two months. Pickford denied Savinho’s low effort and Mateo Kovacic fired just wide as City upped the tempo at the start of the second period. There was another major swing in momentum just seven minutes after the restart. Savinho was chopped down inside the area by Vitaliy Mykolenko, who was lucky to avoid a second yellow card. Haaland had the chance to end his longest goal drought at the Etihad but his spot-kick was that of a striker short in confidence as Pickford dived low to his right to make the save. The giant Norwegian headed in after Gvardiol nodded the rebound across goal but was clearly offside. Goal drought The 24-year-old has now scored just once his last seven matches. It should have been even worse for Guardiola’s men as Everton spurned a huge chance to snatch all three points deep in stoppage time. Jack Harrison’s shot was blocked after the visitors failed to make the most of a four v two counter-attack. Other key results>> Chelsea 1-2 Fulham>> Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa>> Nottingham 1-0 Tottenham>> Bournemouth 0-0 Palace This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 06:16 AM IST | Manchester | AP | PTIFormer Chelsea midfielder Oscar is returning to his Brazilian boyhood club Sao Paulo after 14 years, which included a long spell in Chinese football. Sao Paulo president Julio Casares posted photos on Tuesday on his social media channels which showed him with the 33-year-old former Brazil international. Casares described the move as “a super transfer.” Minutes later, Oscar thanked China’s Shanghai Port, where he played for eight seasons, for his time at the Chinese Super League club. “Today I finish a cycle that marked my life forever,” he said. Oscar joined Sao Paulo on a free transfer. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 December,2024 06:29 AM IST | Sao Paulo | AP | PTIChristmas Premier League chart-toppers Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to see off struggling Leicester on Boxing Day (Thursday). Meanwhile, both crisis-hit Manchester clubs will seek a festive fillip, with faltering champions City at home to Everton and United away to Wolves. Second-placed Chelsea host Fulham while in-form Arsenal will fancy their chances against relegation-threatened Ipswich on Friday, even without the injured Bukayo Saka. Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, licking their wounds after a brutal 6-3 hammering by Liverpool, face a tough assignment at high-flying Nottingham Forest. Liverpool are top of the table on Christmas Day for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Just once in the past seven top-flight campaigns in which they have sat at the summit on December 25, have they gone on to win the title. Arne Slot’s side returned to winning ways in style on Sunday, overwhelming Spurs following two frustrating draws. They are four points clear of Chelsea with a game in hand. It would be a huge surprise if they slipped up against Leicester at home, especially with Mohamed Salah enjoying a purple patch. The Egypt international is the first player to reach double figures for both goals (15) and assists (11) before Christmas in the history of the Premier League. Leicester won their first match under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy earlier this month but have collected just a single point in their past three matches, conceding nine goals. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 December,2024 06:27 AM IST | London | AFPSoccer star Cristiano Ronaldo said it was 'just a little cold' as he posed bare-chested in the snow before taking an icy dip in a pool during a Christmas vacation in Finland's Lapland region. The 39-year-old Portuguese international traveled with partner Georgina Rodriguez and their children, who met Santa Claus in a 10-minute video posted online by Ronaldo on Tuesday. It’s just a little cold 🥶😂Watch my complete family trip video: https://t.co/hUJ1n3v0h1 pic.twitter.com/5yOUzeVvEb — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 24, 2024 The former Real Madrid and Manchester United great appeared to decline to ski with his family. He wished his followers, including 645 million on Instagram, a 'Merry Christmas' in Spanish. The Al-Nassr striker is on a winter break from the Saudi Pro League until January 9. Meanwhile, Ronaldo recently led the celebrations after Portugal and five other countries were officially announced as hosts of the 2030 men’s World Cup, with the player saying the unique tournament will be the “most special” yet. The 2030 tournament will be the first World Cup played in six different countries, with Spain, Portuga,l and Morocco as the main hosts while South American nations Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will each get one game. The format will help FIFA mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. “A dream come true,” the 39-year-old Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post that had a photo of him celebrating while wearing Portugal’s jersey and featured the words: “The Most Special World Cup ever.” Ronaldo is the only man to have scored at five World Cup tournaments, but he is unlikely to still be playing in 2030. “Portugal will host the 2030 World Cup and make us proud,” he wrote. The approval of the six-nation bid was mostly a formality at FIFA’s online meeting on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia also officially confirmed as the 2034 World Cup host.
25 December,2024 01:28 PM IST | Helsinki | mid-day online correspondentThe world football players’ union disagreed with FIFA’s temporary changes to transfer rules on Monday following the landmark Lassana Diarra judgement. Former France international Diarra challenged FIFA ‘s rules due to a dispute with a club dating to 2014, and the European Court of Justice ruled in October that some rules were contrary to European Union law because they restricted freedom of movement and were anti-competitive. FIFA then opened a “global dialogue” and on Monday published interim amendments which take effect in time for the January transfer window. They “strike a balanced compromise,” FIFA said in a statement. But global players’ union FIFPRO was against the changes, and accused FIFA of failing to reach consensus. “Following Lassana Diarra’s successful challenge against the legality of Article 17 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, FIFPRO informed FIFA of the conditions under which it could negotiate the amendments to the regulations to reflect the ruling,” a union statement said. “Until now, we have been unable to reach a consensus. We do not agree with the temporary measures announced by FIFA which have been introduced without a proper collective bargaining process. “The measures do not provide legal certainty to professional footballers and do not reflect the judgement by the European Court of Justice.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 December,2024 06:16 AM IST | Zurich | AP | PTIThe Mumbai Knights Football Academy, who emerged victorious at Mumbai Football Association Women’s Premier League 2024-25 by winning all their matches in dominant fashion, owe their success to some solid beach training. Coach Preetam Mahadik, who was head coach for the Maharashtra boys U-21 beach football team that won the silver medal at the All-India Football Federation-approved Beach Sports Festival in Diu earlier this year, told mid-day about his beach training strategy for the girls. “For a good three months before the league, we underwent some rigorous beach training sessions. The girls worked hard daily — five days of the week — with the sessions getting more intense as the league approached. And their hard work has paid off brilliantly,” said Mahadik. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Pakistan set to be played on February 23, here's the full schedule Ronnie D’Souza, who was the manager of the Maharashtra beach soccer team alongside Mahadik added: “Running on the sand is a great activity for footballers, and if you can master controlling the ball on sand, it becomes that much easier when you do the same activities on a normal football ground. Preetam made his Mumbai Knights team do the same beach drills that we did with the Maharashtra U-21 boys team. And the results are there for all to see.” Mumbai Knights won 11 out of 11 games in the MFA Women’s Premier League, scoring a whopping 59 goals and conceding just four. Pranita Nimkar, named the WPL’s best defender, scored 18 goals while Bhagyashree Dalvi, who was awarded the best forward, netted 14 times. Some of the country’s top women’s teams have taken note of the Mumbai Knights’ strong performance and one of their central defenders, Priyanka Sujeesh has been signed by IWL outfit East Bengal. The Mumbai Knights are now preparing for the Indian Women’s League 2. Their target is to achieve qualification in the top tier of Indian women's football — the Indian Women’s League.
24 December,2024 06:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroLiverpool head into Christmas with a four-point lead, a game in hand and as the overwhelming title favourites in the Premier League on the back of a wild 6-3 win at Tottenham. Also Read: MCG curator defends poor practice tracks Heung-min Son 21 games without a loss Make that 21 games in all competitions without defeat after the Reds’ biggest league win of the season, with Mohamed Salah netting two of the goals to move above Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the top of the scoring charts. Liverpool have 39 points from 16 games and stretched their lead over second-place Chelsea, who could only draw 0-0 at Everton, to end a five-match winning streak in the league. Salah now has 15 goals in the Premier League to break a tie with Haaland — and will leave London thinking he should have had more. Biggest win this season In an end-to-end contest, resembling a basketball match, Liverpool scored more than five goals for the first time this season, with Luis Diaz (two), Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai being the scorers. “You can see quality players with top discipline,” Tottenham captain Son Heung-min said. “There’s a reason they are top. If you give them a mistake, they punish you.” Tottenham’s injury-hit defence was open at the back but its attack caused Liverpool’s problems throughout, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke all finding the net. Spurs are another big team in the bottom half, having slipped to 11th place. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 08:03 AM IST | London | AP | PTIHoly Family High School (Andheri) clinched the MSSA boys U-14 Div I inter-school football title, defeating Don Bosco High School (Borivli) 5-4 in a nail-biting tie-breaker at Goan Sports Association ground on Monday. The match ended in a goalless draw at the end of regulation time, thanks to some fine goalkeeping at both ends, from Marc Fernandes of Don Bosco and Sanctus Fernandes of Holy Family. The tie-breaker was a close affair. It was locked at 4-4 after the first five attempts from either side before Daniel Vaz of Don Bosco missed his attempt during the sudden death. Shaun D’Souza, Leon Dias, Amen Kedare, Daksh Rathod, and Emmanuel Fernandes successfully converted their penalties, while skipper Rajiv Shinge missed for Holy Family. Also Read: "He’s one of the greatest we’ve seen": Abbott on Jasprit Bumrah For Don Bosco, Asher Aranha, Sumil Wadgaokar, Evan Gomes, and Travis Pereira found the back of the net. Holy Family coach Glen Rodrigues praised his team’s composure under pressure. “It was a tough match, both teams played exceptionally well. I’m happy with the outcome. Our boys stayed calm and delivered when it mattered most,” he said. Earlier, in the third-place match, Cathedral and John Connon School (Fort) comfortably beat Bombay Scottish (Mahim) 3-0. Anaai D’Souza and Ameya Vanikar were the stars for Cathedral. Anaai netted a fine brace while Ameya added one as Cathedral emerged champs.
24 December,2024 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamKylian Mbappe added to his scoring streak with a superb strike in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Sevilla in the Spanish league to finish the year on a positive note after hitting what he called “rock bottom” in early December. Mbappe sent a right-footed shot into the upper corner 10 minutes into the match for his fourth goal in as many games with Madrid in all competitions. It was Mbappe’s sixth goal in his last eight matches with Madrid. Also Read: "He is short of confidence with self-doubts": Manjrekar reflects on Rohit Sharma He struggled early on with his new club, and said his lowest point came when he missed a penalty in the team’s 2-1 league loss at Athletic Bilbao on Dec 4. “I know I have a lot more to give,” Mbappe said on Sunday. “The last few games I’ve played better, I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game, when I hit rock bottom.” Mbappe said he feels his period of adjustment with the club is finally over. “I think we now know each other better,” he said. “I’ve joined the team and that changed a lot of things. The settling-in period is over, as the coach says. I feel very comfortable in the team and I play better with the others on the field. The team is playing much better.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 07:41 AM IST | Madrid | AP | PTIADVERTISEMENT
