Latest news with #City
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
A glimpse of a dangerous combination revealed itself for Manchester City against Juventus
As Manchester City picked apart Juventus 5-2 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando yesterday, there were a host of positives to come of yesterday's match. The performances and midfield play of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders did stand out. Given the strengths of Rodri and Reijnders' games, they do figure to be a dangerous midfield combination for Manchester City. There was also another combination that appeared to be blossoming for Manchester City against Juventus. It was on City's left-hand side. That was the link-up play between Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Doku and Ait-Nouri look like they have the makings of a lethal combination for Manchester City based on yesterday's display. Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri look to have already struck up an understanding. From the opening minute of Manchester City's win over Juventus, the interplay between Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri caught the eye. They combined well and their movement complemented each other's games. If Doku drifted centrally, Rayan Ait-Nouri went on the overlap on the left wing. When Jeremy Doku stayed wide, it created space for Ait-Nouri to go to work in the centre of the pitch. The second part of that particular equation created Manchester City's opening goal against Juventus. The goal can be seen below. Rayan Ait-Nouri threaded in a superb through ball from Jeremy Doku from a central area. Doku got inside, beat his man and calmly beat Michele Di Gregorio in the Juventus goal in the 9th minute. It was a beautifully constructed goal; however, the link-up and understanding between Doku and Ait-Nouri was hard to ignore. Jeremy Doku knew to make the run as he knew Rayan Ait-Nouri could pick him out. The fact that Ait-Nouri produced a ball that Kevin De Bruyne would be proud of speaks to his technical ability. Advertisement That goal was the perfect encapsulation of the combination play between Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri. The pair did combine for other moments of quality during yesterday's match. But that one moment in particular did stand out above all others. Jeremy Doku is relishing playing with Rayan Ait-Nouri at Manchester City. In an interview published on Jeremy Doku explained that he is enjoying playing with Rayan Ait-Nouri. He added that the pair have already established a connection. Speaking on Rayan Ait-Nouri, Doku said: 'Honestly, he's a top player. He's settled so fast and quick, he can play inside or outside.' 'It's a joy to play with him. He speaks French as well.' Advertisement 'Honestly, the connection is there. And I'm happy that he's here with us.' The play of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Jeremy Doku did help Manchester City beat Juventus yesterday. Their combination play on the left did help keep the Juventus defence stretched during their FIFA Club World Cup Group G fixture. Looking further ahead, Doku and Ait-Nouri combining and complementing each other on the left could help Manchester City unlock the low defensive blocks teams employ against Pep Guardiola's side. They showed that yesterday which was a massive positive for Manchester City to take out of yesterday's win.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork City ready to meet Troost's €75,000 price tag but goalkeeper leaning towards exit
Cork City were willing to activate a €75,000 buyout option to convert Tein Troost's loan into a permanent deal but the goalkeeper is returning to Netherlands. Troost has been an ever-present this season since joining from NAC Breda, an impressive operator over his 21 games despite the Rebels sinking to the basement of the table. He'd spoken in a March interview with the Irish Examiner about the prospect of remaining on Leeside due to the purchase option but it's understood he's exploring other options once the window opens next Tuesday, July 1. Reports in the Dutch media suggested the figure necessary to exercise the option is €200,000 but it's believed to be less than half that. Friday's visit of St Patrick's Athletic to Turner's Cross could mark the final game of the 23-year-old's City stay but manager Ger Nash has understudy Conor Brann ready to step in. They're also interested in signing Shamrock Rovers' Lee Steacy, a former stopper of Cobh Ramblers. Nash, appointed last month following the resignation of Tim Clancy, has recruited two experienced two Irish defenders from the English leagues, Fiacre Kelleher and Rory Feely. Activity in the window was underlined by the addition on Thursday night of Charlie Lutz, a 20-year-old attacker Nash was familiar with from his term managing Aston Villa's U18s. Kitt Nelson (20) has extended his loan stint from Preston North End for the remainder of the season but Rio Shipston is expected to rejoin parent club Sheffield Wednesday following the completion of his temporary stint next week. City are four points adrift of Sligo Rovers heading into Friday's series of fixtures, and 13 behind the eight place Waterford occupy to avoid the relegation playoff.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Man City crush Juventus, Real Madrid reach Club World Cup last 16
ORLANDO (UNITED STATES) - Pep Guardiola's Manchester City demonstrated their Club World Cup credentials with a 5-2 victory over Juventus on Thursday while Vinicius Junior starred as Real Madrid beat Salzburg 3-0 to secure a spot in the last 16. Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia beat Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 to pip Salzburg to the last berth in the knockout phase, as Al Ain battled to a 2-1 win over Wydad Casablanca in the day's other game. City became the only side at the tournament to win all three of their group matches as they put Juventus to the sword in front of 54,320 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando. City now face Al Hilal, the only Asian representative in the next round after goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Brazilian Marcos Leonardo against Pachuca. "We played well and I'm happy with the victory," said City winger Jeremy Doku, who opened the scoring. Doku pounced for the early opener after new arrival Rayan Ait-Nouri set him up with a clever ball. However City stopper Ederson passed the ball straight to Teun Koopmeiners who levelled for Juventus, in one of the few moments in which Guardiola's team let their focus slip. Pierre Kalulu bundled into his own net from Matheus Nunes' cross to restore City's lead. The Premier League side, hoping to make up for a poor season by their standards in which they finished without a major trophy, stepped up a level after the break with Erling Haaland's introduction. The Norwegian striker tapped home the third and then helped create the fourth for Phil Foden, before Savinho smashed home from distance for the fifth. Dusan Vlahovic netted late on for Juve but it did not take the shine off an impressive triumph for City, who were able to give holding midfielder Rodri a first start after his long injury lay-off. "Manchester City have a lot better (quality of) players than us, that's the truth, that needs to be acknowledged," said Juventus coach Igor Tudor as his side finished second in Group G. "The stars didn't align for us to play better tonight." Al Ain got the better of Wydad in Washington, DC in a meeting of two teams who were already eliminated but were hoping to sign off with a victory. South African striker Cassius Mailula blasted the Moroccans into an early lead but Togo international Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba levelled from the spot just before the break for Al Ain. That was their first goal of the tournament after 5-0 and 6-0 thrashings by Juve and City respectively, and Paraguayan international Alejandro Romero curled home from the edge of the box to earn the team from the United Arab Emirates victory. - Vinicius stars in Madrid win - Vinicius scored one goal and made another with a touch of class as Madrid saw off Salzburg in Philadelphia to clinch top spot in Group H. Real play Juventus in the last 16 in Miami on Tuesday. The Brazil star Vinicius opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes, to the delight of the vast majority of the 64,811 crowd on a rainy night at Lincoln Financial Field. Vinicius then set up Federico Valverde with a clever backheel to make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time. Young striker Gonzalo Garcia ran through to wrap up the win late on with his second goal of the tournament, as Xabi Alonso's team end the first round of FIFA's new tournament unbeaten. "I am pleased with the boys, and now the interesting phase begins," Alonso told broadcaster DAZN. Real were once again without top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who has yet to play at the tournament as he recovers from illness. "We thought Kylian would make it and it wasn't to be. Now we have four days and I want to be optimistic but cautious at the same time," Alonso said.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff City to lose two forwards as Brian Barry-Murphy rips up transfer plan
Cardiff City to lose two forwards as Brian Barry-Murphy rips up transfer plan The Bluebirds are having to let a number of players leave before they start recruiting themselves Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy (Image: Cardiff City FC ) Cardiff City are set to see strikers Roko Simic and Michael Reindorf seal moves away as new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy begins to overhaul the club's summer transfer strategy. Both forwards missed the first week of pre-season training ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with sources indicating that deals for the duo are imminent. Simic and Reindorf are expected to depart in search of regular first-team football. The decision comes amid significant behind-the-scenes changes at the club, with Barry-Murphy beginning to impose his own vision on the squad following his appointment last week. It is understood Cardiff had been advancing with their summer recruitment plans prior to his arrival, but those plans are now being reassessed. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community. The new head coach is believed to favour a different approach in terms of player profiles and squad structure, prompting the club to pivot from the strategy previously being pursued by the recruitment team. Simic, who joined from Red Bull Salzburg last year, and Reindorf, a raw talent brought in after leaving Norwich City, had both been seen as part of the club's long-term project, to greater or lesser extents. Article continues below The Croatian former youth international is currently in his homeland while discussions with a number of European clubs continue over a deal. While all options have not been ruled out, a loan seems most likely at time of writing. Reindorf, however, endured a bizarre loan stint at Bristol Rovers at the back end of last season. He played just four times for the Gas, but was frozen out for two-and-a-half months between February and May. After a prolific start to the season for City's under-21s, which earned him a first-team call-up, his move was a real disappointment and he will hope to enjoy a better time away this time around. He has joined Newport County on loan. With Cardiff preparing for their first League One campaign in over two decades, Barry-Murphy is keen to reshape the squad in line with his tactical and developmental philosophy. While Cardiff fans are understandably keen to see players come through the door with key positions still needing to be addressed — centre-back, right back and wing are areas of concern, while the midfielder profiles might be a little samey — the Bluebirds are likely to take on the season with a streamlined squad this year. All nine out-of-contract players leave the club next week, while the two loan players they had last season, Will Alves and Sivert Mannsverk, have returned to their parent clubs. City have seen a few first teamers come back from loan stints away — Eli King (Stevenage), Joel Colwill (Exeter City), Ryan Wintle (Millwall) and Ryotaro Tsunoda (KV Kortrijk) — however there is still a major deficit from the squad which was ultimately relegated. Add Simic and Reindorf to that exodus, too. It leaves Cardiff with two senior strikers in the forms of Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson, while Kion Etete and Isaak Davies are also options. But Barry-Murphy is prepared to slim down the squad and place his faith in the club's youth, it seems, while having a few transfer ideas of his own. "My belief is the smaller the squad, within reason, the more it aligns to having a culture of improvement and players having a strong opportunity to play," he said when asked about the summer window. "It allows the younger players the opportunity to grow and play. If we have too many players and they don't play then it's a contradiction to the way I see it. "So have a strong squad from the players who are here, then complement it with the players coming through from the academy and the younger ones. Then, adding quality then means we can be specific on what it looks like to have an elite team in this division." Article continues below Further ins and outs are expected over the coming weeks as the Bluebirds continue their preparations for the new season, which kicks off with a home clash against Peterborough United on August 2. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
City chairman Comitis singles out big-name players after relegation
'It was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted,' Comitis told 94.7FM. Cape Town City owner John Comitis has hit out at the performance of Cape Town City's headline signings this season. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has slammed the big-name players that the club signed this season following their relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. ALSO READ: Sundowns can hold their heads high despite World Club Cup exit City lost 1-0 to Orbit FC at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wednesday to seal their fate, while Orbit have been promoted to the Betway Premiership. City's experienced players The Mother City outfit brought in a wealth of experience in players like Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Thulani Serero. But it didn't work as City finished 15th in the Premiership table and ultimately failed to retain their top flight status. 'We added nine players, all big hitters with big salaries,' Comitis told Robert Marawa on 94.7FM. 'They came from big overseas clubs. They had been playing on the bench at most of those clubs, but they were big brands and we thought it was what the club needs. 'We had maturity mixed with youth and we thought it was a good mix. But it was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted.' City sacked head coach Eric Tinkler at the end of 2024, and Muhsin Ertugral came in as interim head coach. Despite wins over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, however, Ertugral was unable to halt the slide. Neither was Diogo Peral, who replaced Ertugral in March. 'If Eric had stayed could we have done something more? Who knows? If we had stuck with Muhsin would we have got something out of it? Who knows? Was Diogo the right choice? Who knows?' Added Comitis. 'A lot of disappointment' ALSO READ: Motaung not definitive on whether Chiefs' Nabi will stay 'The bottom line is none of us are players. There are 11 on the pitch and five substitutes (that can come on). And these weren't small-time players. They were big players with big names and there was a lot of disappointment.'
