Champions League

MANCHESTER CITY fans were to blame for Bernardo Silva’s penalty miss against Real Madrid according to former England stars Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott.Pep Guardiola’s side crashed out of the Champions League following a 4-3 defeat on penalties to Los Blancos on Wednesday.Bernardo Silva’s penalty was easily saved by Andriy LuninCredit: GettySilva was made to wait for 40 seconds before taking his penaltyCredit: X/footballontntBernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed spot-kicks for City at the Etihad Stadium.Silva’s attempt was deemed particularly bad, with some fans even branding it the “worst penalty” they had ever seen.However, Ferdinand and Lescott believed the City fans behind the goal were to blame for his botched effort.Speaking on TNT Sports, ex-Man City star Lescott claimed the home supporters held onto the ball for too long after Luka Modric fired his shot into the stands.Read More on FootballHe said: “That would have just took him out of sync and out of his rhythm.”You can practice the routine, the technique, the walk up potentially, this is something you don’t prepare for, the ball being in the crowd.”Ferdinand chimed in: “40 seconds by the way Joleon,” before Lescott continued: “That is a long time. It may not seem that long but it’s a very long time when you are waiting there and you are thinking, now do I change position?”Now do I change where I go? And all of a sudden, it’s a soft penalty.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSManchester United legend Ferdinand went on to say: “It’s a shame though as well, because it is the home fans that are delaying that penalty kick which is a shame.”Fans on social media were also convinced the Man City supporters were to blame for Silva’s miss.Real Madrid stars hailed for classy gesture as they train at Man City ahead of huge Champions League clashOne person took to X to write: “City fans not giving the ball back to Bernardo Silva will go down in history – if football fans did own goals.”Another commented: “How must the Man City fan who kept hold of the ball before Bernardo Silva’s penalty be feeling now.”While a third wrote: “City fans screwed themselves over holding onto the ball as long as they did before Bernardo Silva’s pen!”The Champions League quarter-final clash went to penalties with the score at 4-4 on aggregate after extra time.Speaking after the match, Guardiola said: “It is what is – sometimes you win on penalties and sometimes not. We should have done it before – for how we played.”I absolutely don’t have any regrets – we did everything offensively and defensively.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Football is about scoring goals and they did it a little bit better than us from the penalty spot. They are in the semi-finals and we are not.”I have to say from my heart, thank you to my players.” More

EAGLE-EYED fans have spotted how two former Chelsea stars helped Real Madrid to penalty shoot-out success over Manchester City.Carlo Ancelotti’s side knocked out the Champions League holders 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.Real Madrid celebrate their spot kick successCredit: GettyHolders Man City were dumped out at homeCredit: PACity had gotten off to a great start in the shoot-out, with Ederson saving Luka Modric’s penalty.But saves from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic by Andriy Lunin saw City crash out.Chelsea have not been in Europe this season, following a disastrous campaign last time out.But some Blues supporters noticed that two of their old boys helped Real Madrid to spot kicks success.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAhead of the shoot-out, Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea, could be seen giving Lunin advice.The Spaniard has always fancied himself as something of a penalties specialist, having infamously refused to go off during the 2019 Carabao Cup final.Thomas Tuchel always trusted Kepa in shoot-outs, even bringing him on as a 119th minute substitute to win the 2021 Uefa Super Cup with Chelsea.It backfired in the 2022 Carabao Cup final, however, when Kepa failed to save any of Liverpool’s 11 penalties, before whacking his own over the bar.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERKepa Arrizabalaga was spotted chatting with Andriy LuninCredit: TNT SportsAntonio Rudiger pointed out which way Mateo Kovacic would goCredit: TNT SportsLunin saved from Kovacic and Bernardo SilvaCredit: EPAWhatever he said on this occasion appeared to do the trick, with Lunin the hero.Kepa’s former Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger also had a part to play.Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real MadridAs fellow Chelsea old boy Kovacic stepped up to take his kick, Rudiger could be seen pointing which way the Croatian would go.Silva’s tame spot kick down the middle was labelled the “worst penalty ever” online.After the triumph, modest Lunin explained his success.The Ukrainian, 25, said: “I needed to take a risk with one of the kicks, we picked one (to stay in the middle) and thank goodness it worked out in our favour.”It’s an away Champions League game and we went through a lot of suffering… but I’m very grateful to the team for everything they’ve fought for.”I can’t imagine myself running like my team-mates did today.”He also told Marca: “We prepared it with the goalkeeping coach and there were three players with whom we had doubts about whether to stay in the middle or not.”Lunin, 25, was the hero at the EtihadCredit: Getty More

BUKAYO SAKA has been slammed by Martin Keown for his mistake late on that “summed up” Arsenal’s performance against Bayern Munich.Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League quarter-final after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.Martin Keown took aim at Arsenal’s lack of know-howCredit: TNT SportsHe also criticised Bukayo Saka’s decision-makingCredit: GettyThe 3-2 aggregate defeat shows how tight the tie was and former Gunners star Keown bemoaned Arsenal’s lack of urgency.He also highlighted a lack of know-how and pointed to Saka’s decision to take a quick free-kick in the dying seconds when Arsenal had an opportunity to take a shot at goal.Keown said on BT Sport: “It was very disappointing, kind of summed up at the end there when Saka for some reason taking a free-kick [short] when there was the opportunity to really test the goalkeeper.”You just saw that little bit of lack of experience. There needs to be more urgency in the closing exchanges. Saka made that decision in the moment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I admire that as well. But I think he might have been better taking that delivery from the free kick and it might have been a wonder goal.”You wanted to see the ball going in the box. That urgency wasn’t there and I think that’s a lack of experience, of being in those major games, and knowing what to do in those critical moments.”Arsenal mustered just eight shots against Bayern and only three on target, with Martin Odegaard’s long-range strike that was tipped onto the post the closest they came to scoring.Keown felt they did not do enough to win the match and the tie, suggesting Bayern were much more direct with their play.Most read in Champions LeagueArsenal had just three shots on targetBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe added: “No real urgency in those closing stages. Hugely disappointing. Just feel as though we didn’t really lay a glove on them in this second tie. “It was there if we wanted it, as Owen [Hargreaves] said, and Bayern came out with the resolve, direct, and posed much more of a threat than Arsenal did. Look at that, sums it up doesn’t it, the last action of the game.Arsenal’s title chances are ‘100% gone’ according to club legend who savages ‘lazy’ Gunners after Aston Villa shocker”It was just such a flat performance, even at the end there, the ball, get it in the box, get it in there, try and affect, and they didn’t seem prepared to do that. You don’t deserve to go through if you play a performance like that tonight.”Thomas Tuchel’s genius tactical tweak against ArsenalFANS hailed Thomas Tuchel’s tactical tweak that “took Bukayo Saka out of the game” in their Champions League victory against Arsenal.
With regular full-back Alphonso Davies suspended, Tuchel deployed TWO full backs in his place in the shape of Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro.
The duo doubled up on Saka, with Mazraoui at left-back and Guerreiro playing higher up, offering him protection from midfield.
And the plan could not have worked out any better with Saka almost totally nullified.
One fan noted: “Thomas Tuchel with a tactical masterclass today starting two full-backs on the left wing to keep Bukayo Saka locked down.
“Through 75 minutes, Saka has 0 shots and 0 chances created. Just 19 accurate passes & 32 total touches…”
Tuchel himself explained: “You have to defend a lot on that side. Arsenal’s right side is where most attacks usually start. That’s their danger side. That’s why we chose Rafa (Guerreiro).”
Read more on Tuchel’s genius here. More

JUDE BELLINGHAM is the type of man you’d want your daughter to “bring home”, joked Rio Ferdinand.The England starlet, 20, was in action for Real Madrid against Manchester City last night.Jude Bellingham chatted with the TNT Sports crew after the gameCredit: TNT SportsBellingham, 20, helped knock holders Man City out of the Champions LeagueCredit: RexBellingham helped his side knock out the reigning champions, playing 120 minutes of the 1-1 draw and scoring in the penalty shoot-out.After the match, the midfielder joined the TNT Sports crew for an interview.He chatted pitchside to Ferdinand, as well as Joleon Lescott and host Laura Woods, with the father-of-five blown away by his maturity.Following the broadcast, the former Manchester United star posted a clip of the interview, and gushed on social media: “‘If your daughter is going to bring someone home… that’s what you want them to come with’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”What a guy @BellinghamJude.”During the interview, Bellingham had gushed about how happy he was to win on home soil in front of his brother.He said: “It is incredible. Moments like this are magic and it just comes down to mentality.”When you get those details right and you get those little moments, like the penalties, when the lads keep their cool, it is magic. This was beautiful.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”My brother is here today and it is the first time he has been able to see me playing for Madrid. I feel really proud about that.”Bellingham also offered an insight into how calm veteran boss Carlo Ancelotti inspires his players.How Jude Bellingham is key to England winning Euro 2024He added: “One of our biggest strengths is that we’re so off the cuff.”As a man he just fills you with calmness and confidence.”Before the game, I caught him yawning and I said to him ‘boss are you tired?'”He went ‘yeah you need to go and excite me out there’.”That’s the sort of confidence and calmness he brings.”Bellingham and Co will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, after Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate.They are also nearing the LaLiga title, leading Barcelona by eight points with seven games remaining. More

MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that three of his top stars asked to be SUBSTITUTED against Real Madrid.The Cityzens saw their quest for a second consecutive Champions League trophy come to an end after penalty heartbreak at the hands of Los Blancos.Pep Guardiola has revealed three of his star players asked to come off during their Champions League heartbreak last nightCredit: GettyKevin De Bruyne was substituted for Mateo Kovacic during extra-timeCredit: EPAAfter an enthralling 4-4 aggregate scoreline across the two legs it came down to spot kicks to decide who would face Bayern Munich in this year’s semi-final.Unfortunately for City they were unable to win the penalty lottery and they saw their European journey come to an end despite their best efforts.Their chances of getting the better of the opponents from 12 yards had already taken a hit before the game even went to penalties, as three stars had been subbed off.Manuel Akanji, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland were all substituted before the shootout and Guardiola has revealed they ASKED to be taken off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking in his post-match press conference the tactician explained: “Erling [Haaland] and Kevin [De Bruyne] and Manu [Akanji] asked me to go out. They could not continue.”Fans were fuming when they initially saw that some of City’s best players were being hooked with time still on the clock and many were particularly irate about Haaland being subbed off with the striker missing the entirety of extra-time.On X, one fan wrote: “Poor penalty shootout but the biggest point for me is Pep taking Haaland off when penalties were a likely event.”While a second added: “Why did he take KDB and Haaland off?! FFS.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSErling Haaland was hooked after the 90 minutes were overCredit: PAThe night ended in penalty defeat for Man CityCredit: PAAnother fan wrote: “I blame Pep’s useless tinkering. Who makes such substitutions?”Guardiola’s post-match comments go a long way to explaining what felt like an unusual decision with all three stars feeling as though they couldn’t carry on.Work out which global sporting icon lives in this waterside padAnd the 53-year-old will also be keen to try and keep as many fresh legs as he possibly can with an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea now just THREE DAYS away.City take on The Blues on Saturday afternoon as they look to book their spot in the FA Cup final for the second consecutive season.But even after that they will then have to shift their focus to a midweek clash against Brighton as a hectic schedule awaits the treble winners with seven games in the next four weeks.Why Man City fans were to blame for penalty defeat to Real MadridRIO FERDINAND and Joleon Lescott have blamed Man City’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid on the FANS.
Bernardo Silva missed one of the spot kicks as City crashed out of the Champions League.
And the England duo spotted how the home fans at the Etihad played a role in the spot-kick being saved.
Ex-Man City star Lescott claimed the home supporters held onto the ball for too long after Real’s Luka Modric fired his shot into the stands.
He said: “That would have just took him out of sync and out of his rhythm.
“You can practice the routine, the technique, the walk up potentially, this is something you don’t prepare for, the ball being in the crowd.”
Ferdinand chimed in: “40 seconds by the way Joleon,” before Lescott continued: “That is a long time. It may not seem that long but it’s a very long time when you are waiting there and you are thinking, now do I change position?
“Now do I change where I go? And all of a sudden, it’s a soft penalty.”
Manchester United legend Ferdinand went on to say: “It’s a shame though as well, because it is the home fans that are delaying that penalty kick which is a shame.” More