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      Arsenal and Liverpool only two of Prem’s Big Six NOT to reject new Super League plot as football descends into war again

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      FOOTBALL was thrust into an all-out Super League scrap last night.Judges decided Uefa CANNOT punish any breakaway rebels.
      Stan Kroenke’s Arsenal are yet to come out against the reformed Super LeagueCredit: PA
      John W Henry’s Liverpool were part of the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ and have also stayed silentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The shock ruling opened up a second attempt to form a new competition.
      Last night Arsenal and Liverpool were the only Big Six outfits yet to reject a second version of the scheme, which is loathed by fans.
      And the Government warned they will try to ban clubs from joining it under new laws.
      Nearly three years after the initial plot collapsed in 48 hours, European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that Uefa “abused a dominant position” when it threatened sanctions against the breakaway clubs.
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      Judges in the Luxembourg court insisted it was not ruling on the merits of the Super League concept but only Uefa’s attempt to “unlawfully” block its development.
      The shock decision opened the door to a second attempt to form a new competition — led by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Within hours, Super League’s PR firm A22 unveiled a new 64-team competition split into three tiers and effectively ring-fencing Europe’s elite teams at the top of the pile.
      It was met for anger and derision from fans — but is sure to tempt owners of European giants.
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      A22 boss Bernd Reichart hailed: “Under our plan, clubs that almost never play each other would compete regularly on the European stage.
      “It will guarantee fantastic, exciting matches through the entire year, not just part of the year.
      “We are now talking about an open, accessible, meritocratic league system in Europe side by side with domestic leagues, late mid-week leaving the national leagues untouched.
      “If we convince clubs and convince their fans, why wouldn’t fans not join?”
      We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin
      Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League and the influential European Club Association all joined the furious backlash, insisting that protecting the current system was essential for the good of the game.
      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin conceded he had lost the sanctions threat and could not ban rebel players from playing in the Euros or World Cup.
      But he mocked: “I watched the so-called presentation and didn’t know whether to be shocked or amused.
      “It’s close to Christmas, they saw a box under the tree and started to celebrate, but then when they opened the box they realised there was not much inside.
      “We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.”
      ‘European Zombie League’
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino appeared to agree with Ceferin but added: “With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today’s judgement does not change anything, really.”
      Manchester United, one of the Big Six to initially sign up to the £3bn scheme in 2021, came out in support of the status quo, joined by Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
      United said: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in Uefa competitions, and to positive cooperation with Uefa, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      It took some five hours for Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham to follow suit with similar statements.
      Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid were among those to rule themselves out of A22’s plan.
      But none of Arsenal, Liverpool or Newcastle made ANY comment.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Barcelona were crowing at the victory and Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentis — omitted from the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ rebels — signalled he was ready to sign up to any new plan.
      Arsenal fans protested against the initial plot three years agoCredit: Alamy
      The original breakaway plot was stopped by furious fans across the continentCredit: Getty
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again.
      “The Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and football and its fans have also triumphed.”
      That feeling of “triumph” was not shared by the fans. The Football Supporters Federation blasted the “European Zombie League” and added: “There is no place for an ill-conceived breakaway.
      “Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don’t want a stitched-up competition.”
      In its response the Prem pointed out the judgement “does not endorse the so-called Super League” and promised to “continue to reject any such concept”.
      The Government added its new Independent Regulator would have the power to block any English clubs from joining the rebels.
      Read more on The Sun
      It said: “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government.
      “We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.” More

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      Man Utd and Bayern Munich lead European Super League revolt as just two teams in favour of breakaway competition

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      EUROPEAN giants Manchester United and Bayern Munich have both publicly backed away from a revived European Super League.The project kicked back into life after the European Court of Justice determined that Fifa and Uefa acted AGAINST competition law when blocking the formation of a Super League two years ago.
      Bernd Reinchart is the head of A22, the company tasked with making the European Super League a realityCredit: AP
      Manchester United, along with the other traditional big six Premier League clubs had all publicly pledged to join the European Super League in April 2021.
      But their fans, along with fans of Arsenal and Chelsea managed to kibosh the project through massive protests during the covid pandemic.
      That led to most of the original founders of the league backing out of the plan but for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
      Juventus then withdrew from the project in July 2023.
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      Manchester United have announced that this time, they will play no part in attempting to break away from Uefa and released a statement today saying that their “position had not changed” regarding not being a part of a European Super League.
      It read: “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      Bayern were never part of the original founding members of the breakaway competition and have reaffirmed their opposition to it.
      Bayern’s CEO, Jan Christian Dreesen, said in a statement: “We have taken note of the judgement of the European Court of Justice.
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      Bayern CEO, Jan Christian Dreesen has publicly condemned the idea of a Super LeagueCredit: Getty – Contributor
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      “However, this does not change FC Bayern’s and the ECA’s position that such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football.
      “The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them.”
      The club also reaffirmed their commitment to the Uefa project and the Champions League.
      PSG chief Nasser El-Khelaifi also firmly rejected the ECA’s court ruling and the club said in a tweet: “Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case.”
      Other clubs such as Sevilla, Roma and Atletico have also made public statements denouncing the project.
      As of now, only Real Madrid and Barcelona remain committed to the European Super League, with the clubs never withdrawing from the original 2021 project. More

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      What is A22 Sports Management?

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      A22 SPORTS MANAGEMENT has risen to the fore after plans to resurrect the European Super League are back on.The sports marketing company’s mission is to “sponsor and assist” in the “creation of the European Super League”.
      A22 has been created to push through a new European Super League after the first plan attracted widespread protests from football fansCredit: Getty
      But what is A22 and how has it become such a prominent player in the future of football?
      We have you covered here.
      What is A22 Sports Management?
      The Madrid-based company was specifically created in September 2022 with the aim of pushing through legislation for the ESL in the aftermath of the failed attempt in 2021.
      The firm was created in tandem by Euro powerhouses Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus who were the loudest proponents of the breakaway league.
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      Juventus have since officially left the project after they were threatened with expulsion from the Champions League, although are still believed to be supportive of it.
      After he was appointed, CEO Bernd Reichart claimed the European Super league would be “relaunched within three years”.
      The firm took meetings with various bodies and released a manifesto in February 2023, with changed plans.
      While reception to the idea has been muted, especially in England and Germany, a major court ruling has once again opened the door to a new-look ESL.
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      The European Court of Justice has overturned the previous ruling – which blocked the formation of the ESL – and stated that Fifa and Uefa acted against competition law.
      Reichart, a former senior executive for German broadcaster RTL, described the ruling as an “historic day for football” that ends “Uefa’s monopoly over European club football”.
      However, despite the news, A22 appears to face a long fight to push through their changes, with numerous clubs quickly moving to reject the proposals.
      How will A22 Sports Management’s New European Super League look?
      The latest European Super league plans will see a THREE-tier competition, complete with promotion and relegation, with 64 teams in total.
      The first two tiers – dubbed the Star League and the Gold League – are made up of 16 teams each.

      The remaining 32 teams will compete in the Blue League.
      A22’s plans state that participation will be based SOLELY on sporting merit, with no permanent members.
      Promotion and relegation will be decided annually, while promotion into the Blue League is based upon domestic league performance.
      There will be groups of eight teams, playing home and away, making a minimum of 14 games per season.
      After the group stage there is then a knockout stage to determine champions, promotion and relegation.
      The plans state that there will be no additional calendar days to those that already exist, while midweek fixtures will not clash with current domestic calendars.
      What have clubs said about the new European Super League?
      While it is clear that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are supportive of the plans, there was concern from other fans about the stance of their clubs.
      However, many have moved to assure fans that they do NOT approve of A22’s second draft for the European Super League.
      At the time of writing, the following clubs have already released formal statements to say they do not support the new plans:

      Manchester United
      Bayern Munich
      Borussia Dortmund
      Paris Saint-Germain
      Atletico Madrid
      Sevilla
      Real Sociedad
      Monaco
      Roma
      Inter
      Feyenoord

      Other clubs may, or may not, release their own statements in due course.
      The Premier League also released a statement: “Today’s ruling does not endorse the Super League — and the Premier League continues to REJECT any such concept.
      “Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.
      “Football thrives on the competitiveness created by promotion and relegation, the annual merit-based qualification from domestic leagues and cups to international club competitions and the longstanding rivalries and rituals that come with weekends being reserved for domestic football.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo brutally left off list of world’s 100 best footballers as Lionel Messi fails to make top five

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      THE top 100 footballers in the world have been named – and Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere to be seen.With 2023 now drawing to a close, FourFourTwo have compiled a list of the most influential players from the last year.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the top 100Credit: Getty
      Lionel Messi was named the sixth-best player in the worldCredit: AFP
      The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel Martinelli, James Maddison, Virgil van Dijk and Son Heung-min have all been included in the top 100, but five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has missed out.
      Despite scoring 34 goals and providing another 12 assists in 41 appearances for Al-Nassr since joining the club on a free transfer in January, the Real Madrid legend is no longer viewed as one of the best in the world.
      However, his long-time rival Lionel Messi is still at the top of his game.
      Messi, who won his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or in October, has been named as the sixth-best player in the world by FourFourTwo following his success with Argentina at the World Cup.
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      The 36-year-old led his country to World Cup glory at the end of 2022, winning the Golden Ball award in the process.
      He joined MLS side Inter Miami in June after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent and has since scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances.
      Several Manchester City stars have also been named in the top 100, with John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Rodri among the top 20 players.
      Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka narrowly missed out on a spot in the top 10, finishing 11th, while Declan Rice was named as the 20th-best player in the world.
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      The top 20 footballers in the world, according to FourFourTwo
      Jude Bellingham is considered one of the best players in the worldCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is also among the bestCredit: AFP
      Vinicius Jr, Antoine Griezmann and Mohamed Salah have been named among the ten best players in the world, with Kylian Mbappe narrowly missing out on the top three.
      England captain Harry Kane is considered the third-best player in the world thanks to his record-breaking year.
      The 30-year-old striker became Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer in February, surpassing Jimmy Greaves’ record.
      And just one month later he went on to become England’s top goalscorer.
      Kane left Tottenham to join Bayern Munich in a £104million transfer in August and has since smashed several Bundesliga records.
      In just 15 league appearances he has scored a whopping 21 goals to put him on course to be 2023’s top scorer, with 52 goals.
      Another player that has impressed for his new club this season is Jude Bellingham, who is considered the second-best player in the world.
      Bellingham, 20, joined Real Madrid in a huge £115m transfer from Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of the transfer window.
      Despite playing primarily as a midfielder, he is currently leading the La Liga Golden Boot race with 13 goals in 15 appearances.
      The England international narrowly missed out on the top spot to treble winner Erling Haaland.
      Haaland joined Man City last summer and had no problems adapting to the Premier League.
      Erling Haaland has been named as the best player in the worldCredit: Reuters
      He scored 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions during his first season at the Etihad and won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
      Read more on The Sun
      He also broke the record for the most Prem goals scored in a single season, surpassing Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.
      As for Ronaldo, he is considered not worthy of a place ahead of a fellow veteran Sergio Busquets, who came 100th, Atletico’s Nahuel Molina in 99th or Porto keepr Diogo Costa in 98th. More

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      Hated European Super League is back on the table after shock court ruling in HUGE blow to Uefa and fans

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      FOOTBALL fans fear the hated European Super League is on the way back following a sensational ruling by the European Court of Justice.The court has determined Fifa and Uefa acted against competition law when they blocked the formation of a European Super League in 2021.
      Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is one of the advocates of the European Super LeagueCredit: AP
      Football fans around the country protested the Super League when it was proposed two years agoCredit: Getty
      “Football is not for sale” ❌UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on the European Super League ruling and the new format proposal from A22 Sports ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/k3evJhy2Mp— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2023

      Twelve of Europe’s biggest clubs proposed the formation of a European Super League two years ago.
      The proposal was met with significant backlash as fans across the continent protested the idea.
      Premier League clubs pulled out one by one following the visceral reaction from fans, who now fear the Super League could be introduced after all.
      Now the Super League has announced a new open format consisting of 64 teams and three divisions – Star, Gold and Blue – with promotion and relegation included.
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      Teams will play 14 games a season with seven at home and seven away, with the top teams battling it out in play-offs at the end of the season.
      One supporter reacted to the court ruling saying: “RIP football as we know it 😭”
      Another added: “Football is about to be ruined then…”
      A third wrote: “We the fans still don’t want that shoddy league.”
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      And another commented: “Super league here we go.”
      Spanish giants Barcelona have instantly voiced their “satisfaction” with the court ruling.
      In a statement published on their website, the Catalans wrote: “As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future.”
      Club president Joan Laporta also released a video voicing his support for the hated Super League.
      And their fellow LaLiga rivals Real Madrid and their president Florentino Perez did likewise with a statement on their website.
      However, English football fans may not need to be concerned as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government have promised to stop clubs from joining new competitions that would kill off the domestic game.
      And United released a statement confirming their anti-Super League stance.
      It reads: “Our position has NOT changed”.
      “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      Bayern Munich followed suit saying: “It’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed.
      “Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of domestic leagues and the statics of European football.”
      And Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin: “I hope they start that competition as soon as possible with two clubs.
      “I hope they know what they are doing which I am not so sure about. Football is not for sale.”
      But conspirators Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are refusing to give up on their breakaway project despite it crashing and burning inside 48 hours two years ago.
      The latest idea put forward was for up to 80 clubs to leave Uefa to form a new competition.
      But that would NOT include any Premier League clubs, with Madrid-based sports marketing firm A22 using the success of English football as a justification for the new tournament.
      And in a boost to that trio of clubs the European Court of Justice ruled that Fifa and Uefa rules giving them the power to approve club competitions “are contrary to EU Law”.
      The Court said: “The Fifa and Uefa rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions are unlawful.
      “There is no framework for the Fifa and Uefa rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.
      “Similarly the rules giving Fifa and Uefa exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights related to those competitions are such as to restrict competition, given their importance for the media, consumers and television viewers in the European Union.
      “The Court observes that the organisation of interclub football competitions and the exploitation of the media rights are quite evidently economic activities.
      “They must therefore comply with the competition rules and respect the freedoms of movement, even though the economic pursuit of sport has certain specific characteristics, such as the existence of associations having certain regulatory and control powers and the power to impose sanctions.”
      The only consolation was the Court not giving specific approval for Super League.
      It said: “That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved.
      “The Court, having been asked generally about the FIFA and UEFA rules, does not rule on that specific project in its judgement.”
      Real Madrid and Barca have responded positively to the court’s judgement, while Super League CEO Bernd Reichart has voiced his approval.
      A statement read: “UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures!”

      “For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches.”
      “For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”
      Real Madrid released a statment that read: “At Real Madrid we welcome with enormous satisfaction the decision adopted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values ​​and freedoms.
      “In the coming days we will carefully study the scope of this resolution, but I do anticipate two conclusions of great historical significance. Firstly, that European club football is not and will never again be a monopoly. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the masters of their destiny.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The clubs see our right to propose and promote European competitions that modernize our sport and attract fans from all over the world fully recognized. In short, today the Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and today football and its fans have also triumphed.
      “In the face of the pressures that we have received for more than two years, law, reason and freedom prevail today. And for this reason, Real Madrid will continue working for the good of football.” More

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      My dad is legendary football manager of Champions League giants – now I’m following in his footsteps as his assistant

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      DAVIDE ANCELOTTI is following in his father’s footsteps in football management.Carlo Ancelotti, 64, is one of the most decorated managers currently working in football.
      Davide Ancelotti is the assistant coach for his father CarloCredit: Getty
      He is on his way to becoming a manager in his own rightCredit: Alamy
      The Italian boasts an incredible trophy cabinet, including titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
      Ancelotti has also won a host of domestic cup competitions as well as the Champions League on four occasions.
      He keeps his family close however as his son, Davide, is currently his assistant at Real Madrid.
      The retired midfielder had a short playing career having been at AC Milan and Borgomanero.
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      However, he hung up is boots at just 22 in 2009 in order to pursue a career in management.
      The now 34-year-old first foray into coaching came in 2012 as he started working at PSG as a fitness coach.
      His work coincided with his dad working as the first-team manager at the club.
      He earned his Uefa A licence in 2016 and became his father’s assistant for the first time at Bayern.
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      Davide followed his dad to jobs at Napoli, Everton and now Madrid.
      While at the Toffees the Italian would take sessions with club legend Duncan Ferguson.
      Davide has taken charge on the touchline for Madrid already in his career.
      However, he was not able to give instructions as he did not have his Uefa pro licence during the match against Celta Vigo in 2022.
      He has since been awarded the licence after completing a coaching course in Wales earlier this year.
      Davide has been hailed as Madrid’s “bad cop” in the past.
      He was credited with a plan to beat Chelsea in last season’s Champions League in which he wanted his team to use the “dark arts”.
      He has already started to attract interest from clubs keen to give him the top job.
      In April, Swiss side FC Basel were linked with a move.
      He was also tipped as a replacement for Frank Lampard after he was aced at Everton.
      Read more on The Sun
      There has also been international interest.
      Father Carlo has been heavily linked to the Brazil job and the rumours have also suggested that Davide could follow suit.
      The pair often exchange tactical ideasCredit: Getty
      Davide has worked with his dad at many of Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty More

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      I faced Guardiola in his first game as a manager – now I’m out to stop him winning only trophy he’s missing at Man City

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      URAWA RED DIAMONDS coach Maciej Skorza has waited 15 years for the chance to lock horns with Pep Guardiola again.And the Pole cannot wait to see if his underdogs can shock the world.
      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will face the manager he met in his debutCredit: Getty
      Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza defeated Guardiola in 2008Credit: Getty
      Skorza, 51, was in the away dugout in the Nou Camp as Guardiola’s first game as a coach in 2008 ended in a 4-0 Champions League qualifying win.
      While Wisla Krakow won the second leg 1-0, Guardiola’s side went on to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Final in Rome to complete the first of his many Trebles.
      Skorza, who will step down after the tournament, recalled: “I had the great pleasure to meet Mr Guardiola 15 years ago and I have to admit that from that moment I have admired his work. 
      “He is the No1 manager in the world, so personally it is a special moment to play against his team again after 15 years.
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      “So it is fantastic for me and for my team, because we are playing the best team in the world as well.
      “This is a rare opportunity but our dream is to play in the Final.
      “On paper, City are a better team than us in every aspect. But in football, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that.
      “I believe in my players because we have a fantastic team with fantastic character.
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      “We know we will suffer on the pitch at times but we have to keep going and keep fighting and try to realise our plan.
      “What is important is how we manage the space behind their defence. I believe that we can play a very good game.
      “What the result will be, nobody knows – it’s football. But the most important thing is keeping this team spirit at the top level.”
      Erling Haaland will not be risked after being left out of training, although Kevin De Bruyne could be back on the bench for City.
      Guardiola said: “This is the one trophy we don’t have, so we want to close the circle and have won everything we can win.
      “You have a responsibility to win all the games and every competition.
      “The players know that and we’ll try to perform well.”
      Probable teams: 
      Read more on The Sun
      Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
      Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Akimoto; Ito, Iwao; Okubu, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante. More

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      Kai Havertz is finally winning argument with Arsenal fans and proving why the ‘snowflake’ has had £135m splashed on him

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      HE’S cost around £135million in combined transfer fees.He’s scored the winner in a Champions League final.
      Kai Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea this summer for a fee of £65millionCredit: ARSENAL
      The Germany international struggled during the early stages of the seasonCredit: GETTY
      But the 24-year-old appears to have finally found his feet at the EmiratesCredit: REX
      At 24, he’s played for the current leaders of the Bundesliga and the Premier League and he’s been a European and world club champion elsewhere.
      Supremely versatile, he operates as a centre-forward, a No .10, a central midfielder and last month he scored an international goal while playing at left-back.
      He is genuinely two-footed, good in the air, stands at 6ft 4in but possesses a velvet touch and a rare footballing intelligence.
      We are talking about Kai Havertz, a man who suffered dog’s abuse from a sizeable proportion of his own supporters after his £65m summer move from Chelsea to Arsenal.
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      After four goals in his last seven games (and it would have been five but for a questionable VAR call at Villa Park), the German is starting to win over that difficult crowd at the Emirates.
      And while Declan Rice is rightly hailed as the summer signing most likely to turn Arsenal from contenders into champions, Havertz is showing he can also play a significant role.
      Many wondered why Mikel Arteta shelled out such a vast sum on Havertz, when an out-and-out goalscorer appeared the more obvious hole in Arsenal’s squad.
      And what is Havertz exactly? What does he do? Where is his best position?
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      Kai Havertz has scored four goals in his last seven gamesCredit: PA
      Personally, though, I’ve always had a great appreciation of Havertz.
      The bloke who sits next to me when I go to cover Chelsea sometimes uses this as proof of my inability to properly understand football.
      But football is a game of opinions and just because my colleague’s opinion on Havertz is wrong, he’s perfectly entitled to hold it.
      Ed Sheeran has sold more than 150million records worldwide. So people are often wrong.
      Havertz, who scored Chelsea’s goal in the 1-0 Champions League final win over Manchester City in 2021, is an acquired taste.
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      He’s one for the purists. And he’s a throwback too. Watch most Premier League matches live and you will marvel at the extreme tempo — the pace, the athleticism and the appetite of players are constantly improving.
      But Havertz isn’t about all that. He is a player who can slow things down, pick a pass and manipulate a football like Dimitar Berbatov and few other players to have ever graced the Premier League.
      Like the great Bulgarian before him, he operates best when given the tactical freedom to knit play together.
      He’s a drifter and he’s an artist.
      While most players in the English top flight possess a manic work-rate and a demonic desire to run, Havertz can appear languid and waft around the pitch.
      He can be regarded as a luxury player. A snowflake.
      In such a rarefied environment as the Premier League, he can look like the sickly child who usually brings in a sick note to avoid PE.
      Unless, like Gunners boss Arteta, you know what you’re looking for.
      Kai Havertz is finally rewarding Mikel Arteta for keeping the faith in himCredit: ALAMY
      The Arsenal fans who wondered about Havertz and criticised him early on were not entirely wrong.
      The former Bayer Leverkusen man suffered a difficult start and, like pretty much every player who spent last season at Chelsea, he was low on confidence.
      Most players take time to settle at a new club and while Rice was always likely to hit the ground running after his £105m switch from West Ham, it was unsurprising that Havertz needed more patience.
      But a midfield trio of Rice, Havertz and Martin Odegaard is one capable of winning the Premier League.
      And when the top two in the table meet at Anfield on Saturday, with the winners taking the Christmas No 1 spot, that Arsenal threesome can prove it.
      Liverpool, as always, will attack with thunderous intensity and press like men possessed.
      And there will be times out there when Havertz might appear like a lost soul.
      But watch closely and he’ll do something special.
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      On current form, he will do something game-changing.
      Because you don’t have £135m spent on you and you don’t win the Champions League and you don’t start for the Premier League leaders without being a seriously good player. More