Football

Manchester City's midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has been omitted from the Belgium squad for upcoming friendlies against Ireland and England due to a persistent groin issue. Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed the news on Thursday, citing concerns over De Bruyne's fitness ahead of the European Championship this summer.De Bruyne has endured a challenging season, having undergone hamstring surgery in August after sustaining an injury on the opening day of the Premier League. The Belgian international was sidelined for nearly five months, and since his return in January, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has carefully managed his workload.Guardiola opted to rest De Bruyne for the match against Brentford on February 20 due to lingering hamstring discomfort. While De Bruyne made a substitute appearance in the subsequent victory over Bournemouth, he has since started three of City's last four games. However, his substitution in the 69th minute of the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday raised concerns about his fitness.Tedesco explained that De Bruyne's groin injury has been a concern in recent matches. After consulting with the team doctor and De Bruyne himself, the decision was made to prioritize his recovery and rehabilitation with Manchester City."If the risk of an injury is too high, it's our responsibility to say it's better to protect him," Tedesco said. "And then to have him ready for the Euros. We can't take risks at this moment with any player, especially not with Kevin."Belgium's preparations for Euro 2024 will continue with friendlies against Ireland on March 23 and England at Wembley Stadium three days later. However, De Bruyne's absence will be a significant blow to the Red Devils, who will be looking to build momentum ahead of the tournament.

The Premier League title race is poised for a thrilling conclusion, with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City separated by just one point with 10 rounds remaining. The battle is further intensified by the teams' ongoing success in European competitions.Arsenal secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Porto to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years. City, the defending champions, have already advanced to the last eight, while Liverpool are on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League quarters.Domestically, the trio has established a significant gap over the rest of the league. Arsenal and Liverpool are tied at the top, with City trailing by a single point. Aston Villa, in fourth place, are eight points behind City.The European fixtures will undoubtedly test the teams' squad depth. In terms of quality, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are closely matched, but the final stretch of the season often hinges on character.Arsenal's recent form has been impressive, with a nine-game winning streak that includes a victory over Liverpool. However, they face a daunting schedule, including clashes with City, Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United.Liverpool, despite missing out on the Champions League last season, have bounced back under Jurgen Klopp. The German's impending departure at the end of the season could provide added motivation for the players.Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, remain a formidable force. They have won the Premier League five times in the past six seasons and are determined to add another title to their collection.The title race promises to be a captivating affair, with each team possessing strengths and weaknesses. Arsenal's resilience, Liverpool's determination, and City's experience will all be crucial factors in determining the eventual winner.

Manchester City's title hopes have been dealt a significant blow with the news that goalkeeper Ederson is set to miss a crucial clash against Arsenal in the Premier League title race due to a thigh injury. The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained the injury during City's 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, when he conceded a penalty after colliding with Darwin Nunez. Ederson remained on the field for the resulting spot-kick, which Alexis Mac Allister scored to cancel out John Stones' opener, but was forced to be substituted soon after by Stefan Ortega.The injury is a major setback for City, who are just one point behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League standings. The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on March 31, and Ederson's absence will be a significant boost to Mikel Arteta's side.Ederson is also set to miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Newcastle and Brazil's upcoming international friendlies against England and Spain. The injury is expected to keep him out for up to a month, which means he could also miss City's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich on April 5.Stefan Ortega, who replaced Ederson against Liverpool, is expected to start in goal for City in the coming weeks. The German goalkeeper has impressed since joining City from Arminia Bielefeld in the summer, and he will be keen to prove his worth in Ederson's absence.City will be hoping that Ederson can return to action as soon as possible, as they face a crucial period in their season. The Premier League title race is finely poised, and City will need to be at their best to overcome Arsenal's challenge. They will also be hoping to make a deep run in the Champions League, and Ederson's experience and quality will be vital if they are to achieve their goals.

The Premier League title race is heating up with just 10 matchdays remaining, as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City battle it out for the coveted trophy.Arsenal currently sit atop the standings, but Liverpool and City are hot on their heels, separated by just one point. The Gunners have not won the league since 2004, while Liverpool are desperate to give Jurgen Klopp a fitting farewell in his final season at the helm. Manchester City, on the other hand, are aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title triumph.The 2023-24 season has been a rollercoaster ride, with five teams vying for the title at one point. However, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have since fallen out of contention, leaving the race to the top three.Arsenal's title hopes were boosted by their 2-1 victory over Brentford, while Liverpool and City played out a 1-1 draw at Anfield, keeping the title race wide open.Liverpool's motivation is fueled by Klopp's impending departure. The German has transformed the Reds into a formidable force, winning the Premier League in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019. His players are determined to give him a memorable send-off.Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, are aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles. No team has achieved this feat in the history of English football.The title race is expected to go down to the wire, with all three teams having plenty to play for. Arsenal are desperate to end their title drought, Liverpool want to give Klopp a perfect farewell, and City are eyeing a historic achievement.Fans can expect a thrilling and unpredictable finish to the season, with the title likely to be decided by the finest of margins.

In a pulsating Premier League title showdown, Liverpool and Manchester City played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield, leaving Arsenal atop the standings. City took the lead through John Stones' first-half strike, but Alexis Mac Allister equalized with a penalty after the break.The result keeps Arsenal in first place, one point ahead of Liverpool and two ahead of City, with all three teams having 10 games remaining. The Gunners will face City in a potentially decisive clash on March 31.City's goal came from a clever set-piece routine, with Kevin De Bruyne's corner finding Stones at the near post for a close-range finish. Liverpool leveled in the second half when Nathan Ake's back-pass was intercepted by Darwin Nunez, leading to a reckless challenge by Ederson and a penalty converted by Mac Allister.In a frantic finale, City's Jeremy Doku hit the post and escaped a penalty appeal for a high challenge on Nunez. The match was given added significance by Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, and he and Pep Guardiola shared a warm embrace at the final whistle.Meanwhile, Tottenham reignited their top-four hopes with a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa. James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min, and Timo Werner scored for Spurs, who moved within two points of Villa with a game in hand.Villa's captain, John McGinn, was sent off for a challenge on Destiny Udogie, further damaging their Champions League aspirations.At the London Stadium, Burnley blew a two-goal lead as Danny Ings' late equalizer rescued a 2-2 draw for West Ham. Vincent Kompany's side remains in the relegation zone, while Nottingham Forest failed to pull away from danger after a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

Manchester City's visit to Liverpool on Sunday has been billed as a potential Premier League title decider, but the reality is more complex. With just two points separating the top three teams, the race for the championship remains wide open.Liverpool, currently leading the pack with 63 points, holds a slim one-point advantage over City. Arsenal, with 61 points, is lurking just behind. The hype surrounding the upcoming clash has been amplified by Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's assertion that the trophies his team wins "mean more" to City's squad due to the latter's financial resources.City's Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias have responded to Alexander-Arnold's comments, while both managers, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, have attempted to downplay the significance of the pre-match chatter. Guardiola has emphasized that his players' dignity is not dependent on responding to such remarks but rather on their consistent performances on the pitch.City is aiming to become the first team to win four consecutive English league titles, but they have spent little time in the lead this season due to Liverpool's impressive campaign. Despite some key injuries in February, the Reds appear to be nearing full strength, with leading scorer Mo Salah making his return in Thursday's Europa League victory.City's star duo of Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are also in top form, with Haaland scoring in five of his last eight matches and De Bruyne providing assists in five of his past eight contests. While Sunday's match is crucial, both Klopp and Guardiola believe that a negative result for either side will not be decisive.Klopp, who is stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, has stated that he does not expect any team to celebrate prematurely after the match. The quality on both sides suggests that the title race will remain competitive for the foreseeable future.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, two of the most celebrated managers in football history, will face off for the final time in the Premier League on Sunday, with the title on the line.Klopp's Liverpool and Guardiola's Manchester City have dominated English football in recent years, with the two clubs sharing the last five Premier League titles. Liverpool currently hold a one-point lead over City, setting the stage for a thrilling title decider at Anfield.Klopp has guided Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2020, while Guardiola has won five titles in the past six seasons with City. Despite their contrasting styles, both managers have rewritten the record books, setting new standards in the Premier League.Klopp's "heavy metal" approach, characterized by high-energy pressing and attacking football, has transformed Liverpool into a formidable force at Anfield. Guardiola, on the other hand, has instilled a symphony-like precision in City, with the team operating as a finely tuned collective.Liverpool's home record under Klopp is exceptional, with the Reds losing only one league game in front of a crowd since 2017. However, City have won their last two away league games against Liverpool, both behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions.Klopp has the better head-to-head record against Guardiola, with 12 wins to Guardiola's 11. However, Guardiola has won the last two meetings between the two sides, both by a solitary point.Despite Liverpool's injury concerns, they will be boosted by the return of key players for the title run-in. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Dominik Szoboszlai are all expected to be available for the clash against City.City, on the other hand, are in excellent form, having won their last 20 matches in all competitions. Erling Haaland has been in sensational form for City, scoring 26 goals in 23 Premier League appearances.The title race is poised to go down to the wire, with both Liverpool and City desperate for victory. Klopp and Guardiola, two of the greatest managers of their generation, will once again go head-to-head in a match that promises to be a classic.

Erling Haaland's arrival at Manchester City in the summer of 2022 has transformed the club's fortunes. The Norwegian striker's prolific goalscoring has propelled City to unprecedented success, including a continental treble featuring the coveted Champions League trophy.Haaland's move from Borussia Dortmund was facilitated by City activating his €60 million release clause. Upon signing a five-year contract, Haaland's representative, Rafaela Pimienta, reportedly negotiated a clause allowing him to depart in the summer of 2024 for a reduced fee to clubs outside England. This clause is said to decrease in value over time, making it more accessible for potential suitors, particularly Real Madrid.Despite City's desire to extend Haaland's contract, Pimienta insists on retaining a release clause. Real Madrid, who have been persistent in their pursuit of Haaland, have made significant strides in the transfer market, securing Jude Bellingham and reportedly agreeing to a contract with Kylian Mbappé. However, Haaland's 100% ownership of his image rights could pose a challenge for Madrid, as they typically prefer to share such rights with players.Haaland's return to action on Sunday against Liverpool at Anfield will be a highly anticipated clash. Liverpool currently lead the Premier League title race, while City trail by a single point. Haaland's contributions have been instrumental in City's success since his arrival, earning him the Premier League Golden Boot, Player of the Season, and European Golden Shoe awards.

Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise upon Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, labeling him as the "outstanding manager" of his lifetime. The Liverpool boss made these remarks ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the two teams at Anfield on Sunday, a match that could potentially shape the outcome of the Premier League title race.Klopp acknowledged Guardiola's exceptional achievements, particularly his team's pursuit of a second consecutive treble of Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup. He highlighted Guardiola's versatility and adaptability, showcasing his ability to implement different strategies and tactics with great success.Despite Liverpool's positive head-to-head record against Guardiola's City, Klopp remains cautious and refuses to underestimate the challenge ahead. He emphasized the importance of playing at home, where Liverpool has a formidable record against City, but cautioned against prematurely declaring the match as a title decider.Klopp also addressed comments made by Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who suggested that trophies hold greater significance for Liverpool than for City. Klopp expressed understanding for Alexander-Arnold's perspective, citing his deep-rooted connection to the club and its values. He emphasized that Liverpool's motto, "This Means More," reflects the club's unique identity and the profound emotional attachment its supporters have to the team.