Champions League

PEP GUARDIOLA put on an animated display at the airport as Manchester City jetted to Porto for Saturday’s Champions League final with Chelsea.The Premier League-winning boss looked like he was hardly able to contain himself as he jollied about with airport staff.
Pep Guardiola put on an animated display as Man City jetted off for the Champions League finalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola was made to wait on his own for a different shuttle to take him to the planeCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola was not able to board the shuttle bus taking him from a private terminal to the team’s plane with the rest of the City crew.
Instead, Pep had to wait with a lone security guard on the tarmac.
And seeing the funny side, he threw his arms up in the air wondering why he wasn’t able to get on the previous vehicle.
The good-natured scene put smiles on the faces of Guardiola and the airport staff with him.
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And he didn’t have to wait long before another bus came to ferry him to the aircraft.
Guardiola could have been feeling a bit antsy after SunSport exclusively revealed star player Kevin De Bruyne has been nursing THREE injuries ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
The Belgian has been managed ankle, hamstring and calf issues since last month’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, City will host a viewing party for the final at the Etihad, with 4,000 supporters able to watch the clash with Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
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City will be playing in their first-ever Champions League final this weekendCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola was finally able to board a different bus to ferry him to the aircraftCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

They are sure to be in for a great game, which could follow the pattern of Man United’s Europa League defeat against Villarreal and go to a penalty shootout.
Should the game not be settled in 120 minutes, City goalie Ederson has revealed he is eager to be the man to take the crucial fifth penalty for his side.
The result of the final could also play a huge part in City’s transfer ambitions this summer.
Harry Kane is a target after telling Spurs he wants out.
And victory in Porto would be sure to boost City’s credentials as frontrunners for the England captain’s coveted £200million signature.

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THOMAS TUCHEL must start winning trophies at Chelsea – or he will be sacked just like Frank Lampard.That is the view of former left-back Wayne Bridge, who knows all about the pressure and demands for titles at Stamford Bridge.
Wayne Bridge insists Thomas Tuchel must start delivering silverware quickly at ChelseaCredit: GettyWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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Lampard was axed in January after 18 months in charge with no silverware to his name and replaced by the German.
But despite scraping a top-four finish, Tuchel suffered defeat in the FA Cup final to Leicester.
However, he has a chance to end the club’s two-year wait for a major honour in Saturday’s Champions League showpiece against Manchester City.
And Bridge, 40, believes Tuchel must start delivering trophies soon or Roman Abramovich will wield the axe once again.
He told bettingexpert.com: “If he stays on he’s going to have to start winning trophies but I don’t think there’s loads of pressure in terms of what he has achieved so far in terms of where Chelsea were.
“There’s always pressure in big games, you don’t want to lose and Tuchel will put that pressure on himself to win.”
Tuchel, 47, has five trophies to his name in his managerial career so far – but did lose this match last year when his Paris Saint-Germain side were beaten by Bayern Munich.
He has masterminded wins over Pep Guardiola’s City in their last two meetings which could be an advantage.

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As revealed by SunSport, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy have returned to training ahead of the match in Porto.
But Bridge sat on the fence when giving his prediction for the final between two of his former sides for whom he made a total of 200 appearances.
He added: “They’re two great teams and Pep won’t let the recent matches affect him, but it could be at the back of his mind.
“Tuchel and Chelsea will definitely take a lot from beating them and it can work for them, but they won’t be comfortably expecting to win.
“They know they can beat City and they can do it again.
“In both the recent games between these sides Chelsea dominated the midfield and beat City, Chelsea got the better of them in the middle of the park and that will be vital again.”
The former left-back played for both teams during his career and refused to pick a winnerCredit: Getty

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MANCHESTER CITY are set to screen Saturday’s Champions League final to up to 4,000 fans.Pep Guardiola’s side will be backed by 6,000 supporters at the Estadio Dragao, having sold out their allocation.
Man City’s academy stadium will host up to 4,000 fansCredit: Getty
City fans will be able to cheer on their team from closer to homeCredit: PA
And they will also be well supported from afar, with giant screens erected at the club’s academy stadium.
The venue, situated next door to Etihad Stadium, hosts academy and WSL games, and has a capacity of 7,000.
City are now selling tickets for £5, with drinks and snacks included.
And fans will be able to look forward to appearances from club legends.
The event will adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Tottenham staged a similar event for the 2019 final, when the Lilywhites sold out their new stadium to watch the Madrid showpiece on big screens.
Fans of both City and Chelsea have been left bemused by Uefa’s ticket prices.
Split into four separate categories, admission could cost as much as £515, with other seats priced at £386.50, £154.50 and £60.
Pep Guardiola will pit his wits against Thomas TuchelCredit: AFP
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City owner Sheikh Mansour endeared himself to fans, by paying for ticket holders’ plane fares.
And Blues supremo Roman Abramovich also subsidised fans’ costs.
But Chelsea still sent back 800 tickets of their allocation, due to the global situation coupled with the outrageous prices.
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EDERSON revealed he is on the list and wants to take the crucial fifth penalty should the Champions League final go to a shootout.The Manchester City goalkeeper, 27, has earned plenty of plaudits for his ball-playing ability with his feet and is clinical in training.
Ederson will put himself forward to take a penalty if the Champions League final goes to a shootoutCredit: Getty
Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy saved City’s last spot-kick, Sergio Aguero’s failed PanenkaCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
And knowing of his team-mates’ struggles from the spot over the past couple of seasons, he is prepared to put himself forward when the pressure is on.
City take on Chelsea in an all-English final in Porto on Saturday night and if the scores are level after extra-time, it will be decided with spot-kicks.
Ederson, certain to start in goal, told TNT Sports: “I am [on the list].
“I don’t need to train much, but the fifth one, I’m taking it. The decisive one.
“I think I’ll take the fifth one.”
He added to the Manchester Evening News: “If the final goes to penalties, I’m going to ask to take it because I’m ready for it.
“In training sessions sometimes I practise taking them like if it was a game.
“It’s true that our scoring rate on penalties isn’t the best, we missed some during the season, but the team is ready for any outcome during the game.”
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Ederson and City romped their way to a third Premier League title in four years this season, finishing the season with 5-0 win over Everton in which the Brazilian saved his first penalty in three years.
But Pep Guardiola’s men have not found it easy converting their chances from 12 yards in recent times.
Since the beginning of the 2019-20 season, the Citizens have won 27 penalties.
But of those, a whopping TEN have missed, including four of 11 this term, the latest Sergio Aguero’s failed Panenka against Chelsea.
Aguero has missed two, as have Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling three and Kevin De Bruyne one.
Man City penalty record since 2019-20
10/08/2019 Sergio AGUERO vs West Ham (Scored)
21/09/2019 Sergio AGUERO vs Watford (Scored)
22/10/2019 Sergio AGUERO vs Atalanta (Scored)
06/11/2019 Gabriel JESUS vs Atalanta (Missed)
21/12/2019 Ilkay GUNDOGAN vs Leicester (Scored)
27/12/2019 Raheem STERLING vs Wolves (Missed)
21/01/2020 Gabriel JESUS vs Sheffield Utd (Missed)
26/01/2020 Ilkay GUNDOGAN vs Fulham (Scored)
02/02/2020 Ilkay GUNDOGAN vs Tottenham (Missed)
22/02/2020 Sergio AGUERO vs Leicester (Missed)
26/02/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Real Madrid (Scored)
17/06/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Arsenal (Scored)
22/06/2020 Riyad MAHREZ vs Burnley (Scored)
28/06/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Newcastle (Scored)
02/07/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Liverpool (Scored)
21/07/2020 Raheem STERLING vs Watford (Missed)
21/09/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Wolves (Scored)
21/10/2020 Sergio AGUERO vs Porto (Scored)
08/11/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Liverpool (Missed)
05/12/2020 Kevin DE BRUYNE vs Fulham (Scored)
13/01/2021 Raheem STERLING vs Brighton (Missed)
20/01/2021 Ilkay Gundogan vs Aston Villa (Scored)
07/02/2021 Ilkay Gundogan vs Liverpool (Missed)
13/02/2021 Rodri vs Tottenham (Scored)
13/03/2021 Sergio AGUERO vs Fulham (Scored)
14/04/2021 Riyad MAHREZ vs Borussia Dortmund (Scored)
08/05/2021 Sergio AGUERO vs Chelsea (Missed)

After Gundogan failed to convert against Liverpool in February, there was a suggestion the two-time Golden Glove winner could be the new City penalty taker.
Guardiola said: “Ederson is an option because I am pretty sure he’s a good taker. A penalty taker has to be the personality with huge confidence in himself.”
And he may get inspiration from Brazilian compatriot and fellow goalkeeper Alisson after his goalscoring heroics for Liverpool against West Brom.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are into their third Champions League final – with both of their previous appearances going to a shootout.
John Terry’s slip proved crucial in the 2008 defeat to Manchester United before Didier Drogba sealed the win over Bayern Munich four years later.
Stopper Edouard Mendy made the easy stop to catch Aguero’s effort earlier in May taking his tally to two from 26 compared to Ederson’s seven out of 46.
Ilkay Gundogan sent his penalty high into the stand at Anfield in FebruaryCredit: AFP
The Brazilian saved Gylfi Sigurdsson’s effort on the final day of the seasonCredit: EPA
Chelsea have endured mixed emotions in their previous Champions League finalsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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CHELSEA’S Champions League hopes have received a massive boost after key-men N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy returned to duty today.The Blues pair both took part in training on day one of the build-up to Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.
Edouard Mendy was back in training todayCredit: Getty
N’Golo Kante was back in the swing of things at CobhamCredit: Getty
Inspirational midfielder Kante has been struggling with a hamstring problem to the extent he missed Sunday’s Premier League finale at Aston Villa.
In the same game keeper Mendy was forced off at half-time after crashing into the goalpost making a save and injuring his ribs.
The stopper had to undergo scans in the wake of the incident and for a time boss Thomas Tuchel was sweating on his No1’s fitness.
But news that both have been passed fit for training at least is a massive plus for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
SunSports understands they took part in full training with the rest of the group and then did a session on their own.
Chelsea fly to Portugal tomorrow ahead of this weekend’s final and Tuchel may now have a full squad to choose from.
Without Kante on Sunday, the Blues slumped to a poor performance and 2-1 defeat against Villa in the West Midlands.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic, himself just back from injury, struggled to replace Kante at the heart of midfield.
Mendy went off injured on SundayCredit: PA
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While partner Jorginho also had a dreadful game.
Mendy, meanwhile, has had a transformational effect between the sticks since joining from Rennes last season.
The Senegalese stopper has kept 24 clean sheets in 43 appearances for the Blues this season, including 13 under Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel has reason for optimismCredit: Getty
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel focused on Champions League final despite ‘huge mix of feelings’ at end of Premier League season More

UEFA have confirmed 16,500 fans will be allowed in to Saturday’s Champions League final with Manchester City and Chelsea being allocated 6,000 each.But scalpers are offering seats at the Battle of Britain final for a whopping £8,138.
The Estadio do Dragao will host Saturday’s Champions League final and 16,500 fans will be allowed inCredit: Reuters
The European showdown was moved from Istanbul to FC Porto’s Estádio do Dragão as a result of Turkey’s Covid-19 numbers.
And after a series of meetings with local authorities, Portuguese officials confirmed the stadium will be filled to 33 per cent of capacity.
Both Premier League clubs will handle the sales directly with a further 1,700 tickets – that sold out in mere minutes on Tuesday afternoon – having been sold to the general public by Uefa.
The official price categories see tickets available for: Category four – £61, Cat three – £156, Cat two – £390, Cat one – £520.
But greedy opportunists are looking to clean up on the gold dust tickets.
One seller on Twitter was flogging a single seat for Saturday’s shoot-out in Lisbon between Manchester City and Chelsea with bids beginning at £8,000.
And on secondary selling site Seatsnet spots were being flogged for up to £6,254 a pop including VIP access to bars and lounges.
But with handling fees, the final price came to £8,138.

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Category one tickets in the Manchester City end – were being offered for £4,300. The final checkout price was a staggering £5,600.
Category two seats were on sale by the Swiss-based firm for up to £3,666. But the final price was more than £4,700.
And organisers Uefa have warned fans face being not allowed into the stadium unless the tickets were purchased via their website or from the finalists.
The body revealed: “Third-party ticketing websites and secondary ticketing platforms are not authorised to sell tickets for Uefa Champions League Final 2021.
“Tickets that are purchased from such sites are invalid under 2021 Uefa Champions League final ticketing terms and conditions and will not grant entry to the stadium.
“Consequently, Uefa strongly discourages fans from buying tickets from such websites.”
Fans with tickets will have to provide proof of vaccine or a negative Covid-19 PCR test dating 26, 27, 28 or 29 May in order to gain access to the stadium.
Rapid antigen tests from 28 or 29 May will also be accepted.
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Ex-Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris talks about his time at the club More

ONE way or another, Phil Foden will come of age this weekend.The Manchester City star turns 21 on Friday — and a day later he will aim to become a European champion with his boyhood club.
Phil Foden wants to crown his 21st birthday with Champions League gloryCredit: Getty
Foden has been a key player for City this termCredit: Getty
The Champions League final, which he has loved watching since he was a boy, often fell on Foden’s birthday as he was growing up.
It has not quite happened this year but what a double celebration it would be if the midfielder lifts the biggest prize in club football on Saturday night.
He hopes his family will be in Porto’s Dragao Stadium to see him go up against Chelsea and knows they will be pinching themselves.
The England ace said: “They just keep telling me that they can’t believe I’m going to play in the Champions League final.
“We watched it when I was younger. It used to be on my birthday, by the way, but it’s changed now.
“So, yeah, they just can’t believe it. Hopefully they can make it to the game and watch. That would be a special moment for me.”
Several of the big Champions League nights he enjoyed as a boy involved the Barcelona team managed by a certain Pep Guardiola.
His favourite players were the midfield maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta and he studied their matches long and hard.
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Foden — nicknamed the Stockport Iniesta — added: “I just remember growing up and they dominated football for years, winning everything.
“I’d watch it with my dad and think ‘Wow! What a team this is and what a coach they have!’ So, he has tried to bring that kind of football here and it seems to be working.
“Definitely, they played a big part in my career, watching them when I was younger, and it helps as well, now that the manager’s here.
“I understand how he plays and how he wants to play. It helps a lot.
“It was unbelievable; the way he set them up and how they played one-touch and two-touch football.
“I never would have thought that he would be my coach someday. I feel very lucky to have him and like I said, I enjoy it every day, working with him.
“There are a lot of  very technical  players, like David Silva, Iniesta, Xavi. So, I looked up to all those kinds of players the most.
“I’m trying to, not copy them, but learn bits of their game and just take it into mine.”

Foden wrote his own little bit of  European history when he starred in both legs against Borussia Dortmund in the last eight.
It was significant to everyone at the Etihad because it meant they had finally got past the quarter-final hoodoo which had haunted Guardiola throughout his tenure in Manchester.
He said: “It was such a big occasion and, in the past, we’ve struggled to get past those stages before.
“So, to score two important goals for the team, I know how much it means for us and for the team going forward.
“I’d definitely have to say they were my most important goals. I just want to keep going and hopefully I can take it into the final.”
Foden has 16 goals to his name this campaign, now he is looking forward to the biggest game in European football.
But he plans not to think too much about the size of the occasion and just go out and enjoy his football — just like he used to do on the streets of Stockport when he was a lad.
He said: “I try not to put too much pressure on myself. I’m just going to go into the final the same way as any other game — just smiling and saying let’s see how it goes.

“So, nothing’s going to change how I prepare. Everything’s just going to be the same.
“My earliest football memories are when I was around five or six, just  playing out with my friends on the streets, and having little matches and enjoying myself.
“We have a little park where there’s two goals, and it’s a concrete cage. We used to go in there and play most days and every day, all day long.
“That is where I learned to play football. Having the ball at my feet is one of the best feelings.”
Foden has matured since then and now he hopes to put the seal on what has already been a memorable season for the club.
The Premier League and Carabao Cup are already in the bag — now he looks to add a European flavour to his growing collection.
He said: “It’s a shame to not have the crowd that we normally have, but the games that we’ve played we have been fantastic this year as a team, and I’ve just enjoyed it a lot.
“Hopefully we can go that one more step in the final.”
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