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New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How Manchester City dismantled Juventus with straight passes and diagonal runs
Manchester City look like themselves again. Not because Rodri is back, not because they are the only team at the Club World Cup who ended with a perfect group-stage record, but because Pep Guardiola's side are carving teams apart from out wide again. 'I liked the way we did it,' Guardiola said after the 5-2 win against Juventus. Advertisement Their opponents had only conceded eight in 11 games under Igor Tudor before facing City. The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly. City made it look rather easy, even without Erling Haaland for the first 45 minutes. Omar Marmoush was the focal point instead. Juventus mixed their out-of-possession approach — man-to-man in the high press, and a 5-4-1 mid-block where the centre-backs were relatively touch-tight but the midfielders defended zonally — and City showed flexibility too. When building up in their own half, Jeremy Doku and Savinho, City's wingers, drifted inside and became No 10s close to Marmoush. This made space for full-backs Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri to push on. The risk was leaving big spaces out wide that could be exploited in transition, by Juventus' wing-backs especially. Guardiola, as he always will be, was full of praise when this did not happen. He loved 'the patience to make a lot of passes to be calm.' Savinho and Doku's narrow positioning looked to be less about getting them on the ball centrally and more about pinning Juventus' outside centre-backs deep. This would create a problem when a midfielder wanted to jump and press a City defender — it would create space for Rodri, Bernardo Silva or Tijjani Reijnders. In Juventus' half, City flipped their wide scheme. The wingers went wide and full-backs narrow. This gave extra cover and set Doku and Savinho up for one-v-one scenarios. City were good at not rushing crossing scenarios (just four in the first 27 minutes), partly because it made less sense without Haaland, and they could wear Juventus down with a short passing game and off-ball runs. That desire for quality runners is something City have recruited for. Last December, about halfway through the Premier League season, (when adjusted for possession) they had attempted the fewest overlaps and and fewest passes to runners in-behind. Advertisement This game, and the first three goals, showed the added quality that comes from Doku when he has Ait-Nouri's attacking support, and how effective a pairing Nunes and Savinho are. City's opener came in classic fashion. Often, the best time to pick the lock of a compact defence is when the defence jumps as the attacking side recycles the ball. Here, Ait-Nouri becomes a second No 6 as play is connected from right to left: Nunes, to Rodri, to Ait-Nouri. If the passage seems harmless enough, that's because it is. But this move was 2021-22 City-esque in bringing the tempo of the game down before immediately slicing opponents open. Ait-Nouri recognises wing-back Alberto Costa is jumping forward to Doku. He is so focused on shutting the Belgian down that he moves outside the vertical line of the ball. The Algerian international splits the back line inside Costa, with a straight pass for Doku's diagonal run. Doku cuts in and curls a far-post finish beyond Michele Di Gregorio. City have good box occupation too: Savinho has locked off the back post for rebounds, Marmoush is on the penalty spot and Rodri has arrived late should a cutback be on. City's second came 15 minutes after Teun Koopmeiners had equalised following an Ederson error playing out against the press; there were multiple times he picked a bad pass and executed it poorly, but City more than compensated in attack. On one of the rare occasions that Juventus doubled up out wide, City exploited it. Savinho and Rodri are playing two-v-three, and there is little protection for Juventus in the left half-space. This makes Nunes the dangerous runner from deep. Juventus are too passive, and Savinho has the time and space to thread a diagonal pass outside left wing-back Filip Kostic. Nunes makes the straight run behind Koopmeiners (a reverse of the straight pass and diagonal run from Doku for the opener). The approach play is excellent and earns the luck of an own goal from Pierre Kalulu. City have four plus Nunes in the box, fairly well-spaced, though nobody makes a penetrative run beyond the defensive line — the biggest downside to not having Haaland on the pitch. City completed four through balls against Juventus. They only managed more in three Premier League matches in 2024-25 and their most in a Champions League game last term was four away to Sparta Prague. Haaland came on at half-time and Nicolo Savona stayed deeper defending him. He almost scored within a minute of the restart when Bernardo slipped a diagonal pass for Savinho's straight run inside Savona, and his low back-post ball was just out of Haaland's reach. Advertisement The third goal was the pick of the bunch for how City manipulated and dismantled Juventus' man-for-man pressing. Here, City show flexibility again as Nunes has moved into midfield and Savinho is wide. Weston McKennie's jump to Ruben Dias forces the wide pass, and City's midfield rotates like clockwork. Nunes' run — for a possible first-time Savinho pass in behind — takes Koopmeiners away. This allows Reijnders to drop in and receive from Savinho. The Dutch international was marked by Kalulu, but ended up between two Juventus players and neither wanted to go with him. Reijnders drives to the edge of the final third in a five-v-five. Haaland has already moved into Savona's blind spot. Koopmeiners has done well to track Nunes' run but his body shape is awkward and — as with Costa for the first goal — he is outside the vertical line of the ball. A straight pass from Reijnders; a diagonal run from Nunes. The full-back gets his assist (his cross for Kalulu's own goal is not counted) for Haaland's tap-in. The win means City avoid Real Madrid in the round of 16. There is a potential for a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final in the quarter-finals: the winner of Inter and Fluminense face City or Al Hilal. 'It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball,' Guardiola said. 'This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. 'The belief always comes from your performances, not your past.' You can sign up to DAZN to watch every FIFA Club World Cup game for free.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
All EA FC Mobile Aqua vs Inferno Week 3 regular player cards: Gakpo, Marmoush, and more
EA FC Mobile's Aqua vs Inferno event has entered its third week, and along with it comes a fresh batch of 10 new regular players to enhance both Aqua and Inferno lineups. These players are now available in the Gallery section of the event and can be claimed by exchanging Aqua vs Inferno Shards, which you can earn through gameplay, Item Exchange, and the Star Pass. With OVRs ranging from 106 to 108, these newly introduced players offer a strong mix of rising stars and experienced performers from top leagues across Europe. EA FC Mobile Aqua vs Inferno Week 3 regular player cards and their requirements This week's lineup features versatile additions in every position, offering managers ample choice when upgrading their squads. Here's a full breakdown of the new players, their teams, positions, OVRs, and the required shard amounts: Omar Marmoush (ST – Aqua, 108 OVR) – 500 Aqua Shards Amad Diallo (RW – Inferno, 107 OVR) – 450 Inferno Shards Gonçalo Inácio (LB – Aqua, 107 OVR) – 300 Aqua Shards Nemanja Matić (CDM – Aqua, 106 OVR) – 200 Aqua Shards Yeray Álvarez (CB – Inferno, 106 OVR) – 200 Inferno Shards Andrew Robertson (LB – Inferno, 107 OVR) – 450 Inferno Shards Mattéo Guendouzi (CDM – Aqua, 107 OVR) – 450 Aqua Shards Cody Gakpo (ST – Inferno, 106 OVR) – 200 Inferno Shards Aleksandar Pavlović (CDM – Inferno, 106 OVR) – 200 Inferno Shards Nicolas Jackson (ST – Aqua, 106 OVR) – 200 Aqua Shards These players are split evenly across both the Aqua and Inferno factions, helping keep the rivalry competitive and well-balanced. Each one of them brings useful stats and traits tailored to their respective playstyles, whether it's Gakpo's explosiveness in the final third or Guendouzi's tenacity in the midfield. How to Earn Aqua vs Inferno Shards You'll need to gather shards through various avenues in the Aqua vs Inferno event: Chapters – Play skill games, matches, and complete daily tasks to earn shards. Item Exchange – Trade duplicate or unneeded Aqua vs Inferno players for shard bundles. Star Pass – As you progress through the Star Pass, you'll unlock additional Aqua and Inferno Shards. With 10 new regular players hitting the Gallery this week, EA FC Mobile ensures that the Aqua vs Inferno event remains dynamic and full of variety. These additions cater to both budget-conscious managers and shard savers looking for immediate squad impact. Whether you aim for high-OVR players like Marmoush and Diallo or value picks like Jackson and Yeray, Week 3 offers something for everyone. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Identity
6 days ago
- Sport
- Identity
'Pass It On' Enters Its Third Year: A Game-Changing Sports Initiative Backed by Omar Marmoush and the Egyptian Clothing Bank
Now in its third consecutive year, 'Pass It On' — a nationwide sports initiative launched by the Egyptian Clothing Bank and championed by Egyptian national team star and Manchester City player Omar Marmoush — continues to make a meaningful impact across Egypt. Under the banner 'Sports is a right for all,' the initiative is bringing smiles, hope, and opportunity to thousands of children and young people in underserved communities. Since its launch in 2022, Pass It On has reached over 10,000 young beneficiaries, distributing more than 30,000 pieces of sportswear and footwear. These essential donations have helped break down financial barriers that once prevented talented youth from participating in sports, enabling many to take part in local clubs, competitions, and community events.
The Independent
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Rodri impressing fellow Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as he ramps up fitness
Nico Gonzalez believes Rodri is getting back to his best level after continuing his comeback at the Club World Cup. Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder Rodri missed most of Manchester City's 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury last September. He returned to action by playing seven minutes in City's penultimate Premier League fixture against Bournemouth last month and came on for the last half-hour of Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia. Gonzalez, who plays in a similar position, was signed by City in January partly to provide cover for Rodri. The 23-year-old believes he can learn a lot from his fellow Spaniard, who he feels is 'even better' than he thought. Gonzalez said: 'He has been (back training) a couple of months. He is an amazing player and really good in everything that can be good in a midfielder. 'I am trying to learn the most I can and I think I am starting to watch him at his best level. I am seeing things that I haven't seen in a lot of midfielders. 'I try to see all the passes the players don't see and take as much from him as I can. He helps me a lot. He is Spanish so we are starting to have a good relationship.' Gonzalez's signing came alongside those of Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov in the mid-season transfer window as City began to respond to their underwhelming season. The squad overhaul has continued with the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli this month. Yet while City have clearly decided fresh faces are required after a failure to mount a strong title challenge and a premature Champions League exit, Gonzalez does not feel there was ever anything wrong with the spirit. He said: 'The mentality of all these players was always good. I don't think the mentality is what didn't make us win a trophy. I think the attitude and mentality was really good. 'Sometimes you have a better season, sometimes worse. I hope this season is the best possible.' City play their second match at the Club World Cup, and could secure a place in the last 16, when they face Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta on Sunday night (2am Monday BST).
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Manchester City have been busy this summer, but still aren't favoured for any trophies next season
The 2024/25 campaign offered a rare sight from Pep Guardiola — a sign that his teams are not bulletproof. Not in the slightest. After winning four Premier League titles on the trot, City went from looking immortal to looking like imposters as they went through a turbulent period of 11 games without a win and plummeted down the table. Advertisement They did manage to recover mid-way through the campaign and added signings like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez as they rallied to secure a third-placed finish — despite fears they could miss out on Champions League football altogether. It was only the second trophyless season of Guardiola's managerial career and now it's up to the Spaniard to build up City's fear factor again, starting with the Club World Cup. The Sky Blues are currently 5/1 with Betfair to win the tournament. City can lay down a real marker in the United States by showing the rest of the world they mean business — and they're already on the way to doing just that with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wydad. The game saw Phil Foden impress with a goal and assist after having a difficult last campaign. Two of their new signings started the game — midfielders Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders. Cherki scored 12 and assisted 20 times for Lyon last season and is seen as the long-term successor to the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne. He could be the difference for City this season. With Cherki pulling the strings and providing for forwards like Erling Haaland, Marmoush and Savinho, City have a great chance of toppling champions Liverpool this time around. Meanwhile, Reijnders joined for £43million from AC Milan and Guardiola admitted he was happy with how both players looked on the pitch after the game — but it was the return of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri that really boosted them. 'Of course, Rodri will be important,' the coach said after the game. 'We have to adjust to many things, but step by step.' Rodri managed to play half an hour and suddenly a huge hole from last season has been filled. With his presence in midfield alongside the likes of Reijnders, Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic, City can really dominate games again and play the way the manager wants them to. Another problem that has been solved is at left-back. Guardiola started last season without many recognised options in the position and was forced to play youngster Nico O'Reilly there at times. Now they have Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri to call upon, providing more solidity at the back — though he did not feature against Wydad. Advertisement So all of a sudden, you start to think City could become a global force again. They've got a superb midfield — with Rodri at the heart of it — and an attacking frontline that any team in world football would love to have. Perhaps only more defensive reinforcements are necessary. With no recognisable right-back present and Kyle Walker on his way out, a new man in that role would complete the set. Of course, going toe-to-toe with Liverpool will be a challenge, given that Arne Slot's side are set to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz — who is rated as one of the best players in the game right now — for an English record fee of £116.5m. The Reds have also added Jeremie Frimpong and fellow full-back Milos Kerkez is about to join from Bournemouth. With Chelsea still looking like a work in progress under Enzo Maresca and Arsenal lacking the star forward they need to challenge for the title, you can't look beyond Liverpool and City as the favourites for the Premier League title. Betfair have Liverpool as 15/8 favourites to retain their crown, but City's position as the nearest challengers is reflected with odds of 9/4, making them second favourites ahead of Arsenal (5/2). As for the Champions League, City look like outsiders to become champions again, with odds of 8/1. Liverpool are the favourites to become champions of Europe for the first time since 2019 at 11/2, with Real Madrid (13/2) and Arsenal (7/1) the next best-backed teams. Reigning champions PSG are also at 7/1, with City the fifth-favourites. Betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Tijjani Reijnders: David Ramos / Getty Images)
