Champions League

PEP GUARDIOLA has left Real Madrid fans fuming after last night’s Champions League drubbing.The Manchester City boss masterminded an incredible 4-0 win over Real at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola deleted a picture celebrating Man City’s ‘four’ goals over Real MadridCredit: https://www.instagram.com/manel.estiarte/?hl=en
The pic enraged Real fans as it appeared to be a nod to Barcelona icon Gerard PiqueCredit: Getty
And Guardiola toasted the win by posting – and promptly deleting – a “four” photo in a nod to Barcelona icon Gerard Pique.
The result saw City set up a Champions League final showdown against Inter Milan next month in their hunt for the Treble.
And Real’s season is now over after they also surrendered their LaLiga title to Barcelona.
Ex-Nou Camp boss Guardiola celebrated in style after the game.
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The Spaniard was joined his brother Pere, City chief Khaldoon Al Mubarak and ex-Argentina president Mauricio Macri for a post-match drink.
Others in the picture included Martin Edelman, Abdulla Khouri, Alberto Galassi, Joan Patsy and Manel Estiarte.
The group then posed for a photo where they all flashed the number four using their fingers.
However, the picture received an instant backlash from Real Madrid fans.
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And it was swiftly deleted from Guardiola’s social media accounts.
The celebration appeared to be inspired by a similar one from Pique, who held up five fingers when Barcelona thrashed Real 5-0 in 2010.
It has since become synonymous with Pique, who has since repeated it throughout his career.
And Real Madrid fans did not hold back with their responses to Guardiola’s snap.
One said: “I hope they lose the final so they keep those four fingers where they can.”
Another declared: “If they put a 1 before, they will be able to understand the greatness of Madrid. Winning 14 will not be seen by your eyes.”
One noted: “They are leaving a lot to be desired as always. Pep’s style is like that.”
Another simply added: “Vamos Inter.” More

PEP GUARDIOLA celebrated reaching the Champions League final the roared – now let’s get the Treble.City blew away Real Madrid 4-0 at The Etihad to win their semi-final tie 5-1 on aggregate to book a date with Inter Milan in Instanbul.
Pep Guardiola celebrates City’s first goal against Real Madrid
Bernardo Silva scored twice in the semi final victory over Real MadridCredit: Getty
And they now stand only three wins from matching neighbours Manchester United’s achievement of 1999 by lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and European Cup.
And Guardiola said: “We are there now and the players can think about it, visualise it.
“We are three games away. One in each competition. We can do it.
“We need to win one more game in the Premier League then we have our neighbours in the Cup and a Champions League final against an Italian side.
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“The pleasure of being there and playing against Inter Milan is incalculable and we are going to enjoy the occasion.”
Hopefully more than three years ago when they lost in the final in Porto 1-0 to Chelsea.
Victory over Chelsea at The Etihad on Sunday will confirm a hat-trick of Premier League titles and their fifth in six seasons under Guardiola.
They then face neighbours Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.
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City are closing in on the Treble
And then Inter in Istanbul for the Champions League final the following weekend.
Guardiola said: “We need to close out the Premier League as soon as possible and then prepare for Manchester United and Inter Milan.
“We are one game away from three titles in a row and we have now reached two Champions League finals and one semi-final in three seasons.
“The level of the team is incredible.
“It is so difficult in the modern era to do what this team has done.”
Victory saw Guardiola become the quickest manager to 100 victories in the competition’s history.
He said that victory over Madrid was revenge for last season when they lost to the Spanish giants in heart breaking circumstances at this same stage.
He said: “I had the feeling these last few days that there was a mixture of calm and intention to play this type of game.
“In the first ten to 15 minutes I felt all the pain from last season was here.
“We had to swallow the poison, swallow everything last season. So when the draw was made and it was Madrid, I wanted it.
Man City dominated the second leg against Real Madrid
Bernardo Silva was outstanding against the defending champion
“Sport gives you the chance for revenge and we were lucky enough to take advantage of it.
“I felt, I could smell the team was ready to compete at the level they did.”
Asked where the performance stood in his managerial career he said:
“It is the highest considering the opponents.”
Bernardo Silva scored twice in what of the most memorable nights in the club’s history.
And Silva said: “It’s a beautiful night for us. It’s a wonderful feeling to be in the final again, hopefully this time we can win it. 
“The fans were amazing once again, they helped us go after Madrid because we know how tough they are.
“Even in the second half when we were winning 2-0, they pushed us and they could have scored but we were very resilient, we were very passionate and organised at the same time and I’m so happy with this performance.”
After drawing 1-1 in the Bernabeu, City took this tie away from the current Champions League holders with an incredible first half display which saw Silva score twice.
A Eder Militao own goal extended the lead on 76 minutes with substitute Julian Alvarez rounding things off in injury time.
Bernardo said: “My performance in the game in Madrid wasn’t the one that I wanted, so I wanted to compensate for that because I didn’t feel very good at all after the first game.
“Today I had to do better for my team-mates, for the fans and that’s what I tried to do and I’m very happy to do that.”
It was not the way Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wanted to celebrate becoming the manager of the most Champions League games with this his 191st moving him one ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ancelotti said: “We played against an opponent who deserved to win they played with more intensity, more quality up front and they took their chances.
“They were better than us, we were better last year. When you get to the semi-final of the Champions League you can come up against a team that are really good, they are on form and then you lose the game.”
John Stones was in top form against Real
The defeat, on top of losing La Liga to fierce rivals Barcelona with games to spare, has left a question mark over his future at The Bernabeu.
But Ancelotti said: “The president has been quite clear two weeks ago, there are no doubts about my staying on.”
There was a spat at the end of the game between former United Champions League winner Patrice Evra and Guardiola’s assistant Manel Estiarte.
Evra had turned up for punditry duties in a red suit, and the pair had words at the final whistle with City staff on hand to make sure it did not escalate.
Next up is Chelsea, then Brighton and then Brentford, giving them three bites of the cherry to seal the Premier League.
Then the second leg is the FA Cup, against their bitter old rivals.
Man City play Man Utd in the FA Cup final on Saturday June 3 at Wembley.
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Should they win the Double, the next step will the the Champions League a week later.
Man City play Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday June 10 in Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium, 8pm kick off More

PATRICE EVRA clashed with Manchester City staff following their Champions League semi-final over Real Madrid.The former Manchester United star was at the Etihad in a professional capacity working as a pundit.
Patrice Evra was involved in an altercation with Man City staff as their players celebrated reaching the Champions League final 😡 pic.twitter.com/jLqsCKBTNw— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) May 17, 2023

Patrice Evra was involved in an altercation with Manchester City staffCredit: Getty
But he was involved in an altercation with City coaches at the end of the game and had to be calmed down by Pep Guardiola’s assistant Manel Estiarte.
The incident occurred as City players carried out a lap of honour after defeating reigning champions Real 4-0, winning 5-1 on aggregate.
Evra, 42, was incredibly animated as he remonstrated with Estiarte just metres from his former team-mate Rio Ferdinand and his BT Sport colleagues.
But he explained it was started by the City man, telling CBS Sport: “He was looking at me, he was like ‘this is for you! This is for you!
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“So I came close and asked him why he was so agitated and he said ‘no because last year you said on TV that they [City] s*** themselves, that’s why they lose’, and this year they didn’t s*** themselves.
“That’s the truth Micah [Richards]! You know I’m an honest man I’m straight and after he apologised.”
The City boss held the Frenchman by his arms and appeared to be successful in calming him down.
The pair then shook hands before going their separate ways.
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City star Jack Grealish caused a stir when speaking to CBS Sports and accidentally let out an F-bomb.
Grealish, 27, said: “I’m a bit speechless at the moment, I don’t really know what to say. I’m f****g… sorry.” More

THIERRY HENRY had to give Jack Grealish a quick telling off – but only after the Manchester City star dropped an accidental F-bomb. Grealish helped City into the Champions League final after they hammered Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad.
Jack Grealish drops the F-bomb on live TV
Thierry Henry, Jack Grealish and Jamie Carragher
The jubilant England international was left lost for words when speaking to CBS Sports and accidentally let out an F-bomb.
Grealish, 27, said: “I’m a bit speechless at the moment, I don’t really know what to say. I’m f****g… sorry.”
Pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards were quick to laugh at the gaffe but Henry was more interested in getting his space back.
He told Grealish: “You took my spot, man. You have to win the final to stand here! Well done, really well done.”
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A first-half double from Bernardo Silva and goals from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez saw City emerge winners over two legs.
They play Chelsea on Sunday where victory secures them the Premier League title.
An FA Cup final on June 3 against United follows as City look to do the treble.
And their season concludes on June 10 in the Champions League showpiece against Inter Milan.
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Micah Richards, far right, can hardly believe it when Jack Grealish swears
Jack Grealish had a laugh with the experts on CBS Sports
Inter saw past arch rivals AC Milan in their semi-final to set up a final against Pep Guardiola’s City in Turkey.
Man of The Match Silva told BT Sport: “I watched their games, they look very strong and organised defensively.
“It will be tough but we will try it. The Premier League is another trophy we want to win with our fans again so will look to recover before then.”
Bernardo Silva celebrating against Real MadridCredit: Alamy
Man City are just three wins away from the Treble More

RIO FERDINAND was left flabbergasted when Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti dropped Antonio Rudiger for Eder Militao against Manchester City.The Italian opted to bench Rudiger for Militao ahead of tonight’s clash with Manchester City, despite the German’s excellent performance against Erling Haaland last week.
Rio Ferdinand was shocked that Antonio Rudiger was droppedCredit: Getty
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dumped out of the Champions LeagueCredit: AP
Militao had been suspended for the 1-1 Bernabeu first leg, but was restored to play alongside David Alaba tonight.
Ahead of the match, Ferdinand questioned Ancelotti for dropping Rudiger.
Asked why the Italian made the call, the former Manchester United star said: “I actually don’t know.
“I finished watching that game (the first leg) thinking: ‘Have we finally seen a defender who can deal with Haaland?’
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“Sometimes you think to yourself, if he’s got his number, you have to go with your instincts. Ancelotti’s gone with someone he knows, who’s tried and tested, and obviously they won it last year with Militao.
“He’s been integral to everything that’s been good about them in the last season or so. So he’s gone back to what he knows.
“But I think it’s a massive call. And if it goes wrong, that’s something where the media in Spain will be honing in on.
“How can you drop someone who’s done so well against their talisman?”
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Antonio Rudiger relished his battle with Erling Haaland last weekCredit: Rex
The decision went on to be a disastrous one, with City mauling Real Madrid 4-0 to book their place in the Champions League final.
A double by Bernardo Silva set City on their way, before further goals by Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez added gloss to the scoreline.
Michael Owen tried to justify Ancelotti’s call, adding: “You can argue Militao has been (Ancelotti’s) main man, has been his go to guy all season.
“All of a sudden because of one good performance, you’re going to leave him out?
“If I was in his shoes, I’d be thinking: “I’ve only been out a game or so, I’ve done the business all season”. But whatever it is, it’s a huge call.”
Prior to the match, Joleon Lescott admitted: “From a Man City perspective, I’m glad Militao is playing. He’s got the same level of aggression as Rudiger but less emotional control.
“I think he plays to his strengths. With Rudiger, he was focused on stopping Haaland but with Militao he’ll want to be Man of the Match and I think sometimes that can cause harm to other team-mates.”
Fans were also left baffled by Ancelotti’s decision – with one even calling for him to be SACKED.
They tweeted: “Rudiger man marked Haaland for 90 mins only to be benched for Militao. If Madrid loses today, Ancelotti must be sacked asap. I rest my case.”
A second wrote: “this might lowkey be the biggest mistake man.”
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While a third commented: “I think Ancelotti helped make City’s win easy by dropping Rudiger for Militao.”
Another added: “Ancelotti’s loyalty towards Militao cost Madrid dearly tonight. Rudiger was arguably the best player in the first leg.”
Eder Militao had a night to forget against Manchester CityCredit: EPA More

KEVIN DE BRUYNE and Pep Guardiola had a furious spat during Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid.City dominated the second leg from start to finish and ran out 4-0 victors, winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate.

Kevin De Bruyne began demonstrating with Pep Guardiola after losing the ball
Guardiola also gestured towards the midfielder
But despite City leading 2-0, De Bruyne lost his cool at the beginning of the second half.
He picked up possession and darted forward before losing the ball to Real defender Eder Militao.
And instead of trying to win it back he turned around and shouted at his manager who stood on the touchline.
The Belgian appeared to react angrily to instructions barked out by Guardiola, and he gesticulated wildly towards him.
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The City boss gave as good as he got and gestured towards De Bruyne, who took one last look over his shoulder in anger at his gaffer.
The Citizens later added a third which meant their place in the final was all but secured when De Bruyne was substituted.
And that meant he had calmed down enough to warmly embrace Guardiola on the touchline.
But fans were taken aback by the altercation and joked there could be repercussions for De Bruyne.
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One fan joked: “De Bruyne about to play wing-back in the final.”
Another added: “He’s gonna be talking from the bench.”
A third said: “Kev vs Pep UFC 356??”
And another commented: “De Bruyne on loan to Brighton next season.” More