..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd target Joao Mario 'not happy' but yet to push for Inter exit


Joao Mario is “not happy” with his situation at Inter, admits Luciano Spalletti, but is yet to request a transfer amid links to Manchester United.

The Portugal international moved to the San Siro on the back of European Championship glory in 2016.The 24-year-old midfielder has struggled to produce his best in Italy, with little return offered on a €40 million fee.

It has been suggested that he could seek another switch in January, with clubs across Europe expressing an interest, but Spalletti claims to have been offered no indication that will be the case.

The Inter boss told reporters: “As for Joao Mario, he’s a simple lad to understand, he has a wonderful attitude in attending training and in the dressing room. When I’ve talked to him he didn’t tell me anything strange.“There can be a lot of rumours about a player, they can be true or false but he’s a good lad from a professional point of view.

“I’m sorry that there were a couple of balls he could have scored from and he didn’t take those chances, if you think about leaving you lose a bit of attention in those situations.“It’s inevitable in that case you lose your motivation for results, application makes the difference.

“So he’s not happy now, but he’s trained well and all I care about is that he’s professional every day and he’s doing that.“If I saw a blatant bad attitude it’s clear we’d address that problem straight away, because I’d be the first to highlight it.”

Regardless of the rumours surrounding Joao Mario and any one else at the club, Spalletti has warned those planning a winter raid on Inter that the club will not be forced into selling any player they wish to keep.

He added: “A player will leave if we decide he leaves, otherwise he’ll stay and get his head down for two games, because if he thinks about the deadline he’s wasting his own time.“In January it’s right that those who leave will be the ones we say, not those who want to leave.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Lukaku & Ibrahimovic won't play together again until they are at their best


Jose Mourinho has declared he will not start Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic together again until they are both "at their best level."

Lukaku, after joining from Everton for £75 million, spent much of the season as United's only real centre-forward option while Ibrahimovic recovered from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in April.

The tandem were paired together in Manchester United's match with Burnley, Ibrahimovic's first start in the Premier League since his return. However, the duo struggled in a poor Red Devils first half that saw them down 2-0 at the interval.

Ibrahimovic came off at the half with substitute Jesse Lingard scoring a second-half brace to pull United level for the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

That has only led to further questions about whether the two forwards can play alongside one another, and while Mourinho did not rule out using the pair in partnership again, he did not sound as if it is something he will try in the near future. "For it to happen, they both need to be in their best moment and they are not," Mourinho said.

The Red Devils boss emphasised that both strikers are dealing with issues that are limiting them — Lukaku with fatigue and Ibrahimovic is still recovering from a serious injury.

"Zlatan is a man with an incredible injury and an injury that a 20-year-old young man would suffer with. Imagine a man of 36 years old and so many miles in high level football…"However, while he refused to rule out using the pair together in certain games in the future, the Portuguese is prepared to try the experiment again.

Mourinho added: "It is not easy. We did that against Burnley and will do it in some more matches if we need to do.

"For both of them to play together we really need them to be at their best level."
Manchester United are next in action on December 30 against Southampton at Old Trafford.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte: Top-four finish a success for defending champions Chelsea


Antonio Conte believes finishing in the top four will mean that Chelsea have had a successful season regardless of losing their Premier League title.The champions head into Saturday's game with Stoke City 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City, who have left the rest of the division trailing in their wake with their sensational form this term.

Chelsea are still involved in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and have a Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona to come, leaving them a good chance of finishing 2017-18 with silverware.

But Conte believes their league campaign will be a success as long as they finish in one of the three spots directly behind City.

"I think, in this league, to finish in the top four will always be a successful season," he told a news conference."This is the only league to have six top teams to fight every season for the title. And then there are only four places for the Champions League and two for the Europa League.

"But it's normal when your competitors are doing so well, like Manchester City... it's very difficult to think about fighting until the end for the title. But, at the same time, we must try to fight in every game, for the three points and to give satisfaction to the fans, and to give everything."

Conte has few injury problems ahead of Stoke's visit to Stamford Bridge, meaning he could rotate his selection in order to save some players for the trip to Arsenal on January 3, while Charly Musonda and David Luiz are close to returns.

However, although the former Juventus boss enjoys playing matches over Christmas, he admits it would be useful to have a rest period after the festive season.

"All the players are available," he said. "The same players from the last game are available, and about Musonda and David Luiz, they are improving a lot. The recovery is very close – I don't know about the next game, but for sure against Norwich City [in the FA Cup].

"I think we have a game that is very difficult against Stoke City. As you remember well, last season, in the same period, we suffered a lot to beat them at home. I remember very well the game. We must pay great attention."I think we have to go game by game. It's normal when you have to play every two days that I have to make rotations and give a bit of rest to the players playing every game. At the same time, all my players deserve credit and I trust in all my players.

"Personally, I'm very happy to stay here and work here, to have this type of Christmas period. I think to play during the Christmas period is great, great not only for me but for the players. You live a fantastic atmosphere. I'm enjoying a lot this type of situation.

"But, at the same time, I can tell you that, after this period, I'd like to have a little period of rest: for me, for the players. But not only for my team but for every team in England. And then to prepare for the final rush."

One player yet to appear for Chelsea this season is Baba Rahman, who has been sidelined since February with a knee injury, and Conte admits he is not sure whether the left-back will stay beyond next month's transfer window."This player is coming from a bad injury. A bad, bad injury. He's struggling a bit to recover the best form," he said.

"I must be honest, I don't know what will happen with Baba. For sure, about the human aspect, I'd like to give him an opportunity. An opportunity to come back strong like before. He is showing great patience because he's struggled a lot but, honestly, I don't know what will happen with Baba. If I can help him, I'm ready to help him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool new boy Van Dijk 'can become world's best defender', says former coach Puel


Virgil van Dijk can become the best defender in the world following his big-money move to Liverpool, according to Leicester City manager Claude Puel.The Reds announced on Wednesday that they had agreed to sign Van Dijk, 26, from Southampton for £75 million on January 1 - a deal which will make him the most expensive defender of all time.

Puel worked with Van Dijk during their time together at Southampton last season, handing the Dutchman the captain's armband as the club finished eighth in the Premier League and reached the EFL Cup final.

And the Leicester boss is adamant Liverpool have pulled off a big coup by landing Van Dijk, who he believes can establish himself as the best in the world in his position.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to Liverpool on Saturday, Puel said: “He is one of the best defenders in the world and he has all the qualities to become the best. It is fantastic for Liverpool.

“He can play in different good teams and it is a good reward for him.“At the beginning of the season it was difficult for him because he wanted to join another club but now he will find his level. I am happy for him, and happy he can't play against us!

“Of course I don't know if it is the right price but for me he is a fantastic player, fantastic defender. I had him for six months and then for the last six months he was injured.

"In those first six months he made progress and developed his play. He has all the qualities.“He is powerful, has pace and he is comfortable on the ball. He is tall and also has a strong character and personality."Van Dijk could make his Liverpool debut against Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup on January 5.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'De Bruyne is Man City's Messi' - Xavi says Guardiola's side have 'Barcelona DNA'


Pep Guardiola has added “Barcelona DNA” to Manchester City, says Xavi, with Kevin De Bruyne playing the Lionel Messi role.

Despite boasting a trophy-laden CV from spells at Camp Nou and with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Guardiola ended his first season in England without silverware.

He has, however, overseen a remarkable transformation in 2017-18, with City currently on an 18-game winning run which has carried them 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Belgian midfielder De Bruyne has played a leading role in a period of domination at the Etihad Stadium, with Xavi comparing his value to the cause to that of Argentine talisman Messi at Barca.“Pep’s teams win as teams, but even the most special sides need that player to look to when they need something special,” the World Cup winner said in The Mirror.

“At Barcelona we had it with Messi and this team Manchester City have it with De Bruyne.

“Every time he has the ball, you get the feeling that he is going to do something special with it.“Not every game you can win 3-0 or 4-0, especially in the Champions League and that is when you need one moment of brilliance from a special player.

“David Silva is playing the best football of his career. I can see just from watching him he is learning off Pep.“He is not a young player anymore, but when you have a player of such intelligence and such vision, it does not matter.”

Bringing the best out of those at his disposal is a skill Guardiola honed during his time in charge of Barcelona, and Xavi says the Catalan is now overseeing a similar project in Manchester.

The legendary midfielder added: “City are playing with The DNA of Barcelona, but that is no surprise. Pep has Barcelona DNA and transmits that to Manchester City.“The football they are playing is mesmerising. They are the in-form team in Europe and as good as their players are, Pep has to take credit for the football they are playing and the form they are in.

“Pep teams do not just happen, these record runs do not just happen, treble-winning seasons do not just happen - they happen because Pep is obsessive about winning.“He is focused, he hates to lose and that becomes infectious with the players.”

Xavi added: “Last season people were saying he had to adjust his style for the Premier League.“He refused and now people are saying Manchester City are playing the best football the Premier League has ever seen.

“I knew he would not compromise on his beliefs. Many coaches have the same beliefs as Pep on how the game should be played, but only Pep can communicate it at the most pure level.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.12.30

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.12.30

Bournemouth Vs Everton

Chelsea Vs Stoke

Huddersfield Vs Burnley

Liverpool Vs Leicester City

Newcastle Vs Brighton

Watford Vs Swansea

Manchester United Vs Southampton

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2017.12.30

Serie A Fixtures 2017.12.30

Fiorentina Vs AC Milan

Atalanta Vs Cagliari

Benevento Vs Chievo

Bologna Vs Udinese

Roma V Sassuolo

Sampdoria Vs Spal

Torino Vs Genoa

Inter Vs Lazio

Verona Vs Juventus​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Vs Southampton

Manchester United Starting Line-up

De Gea
Young
Jones
Lindelof
Shaw
Matic
Pogba
Mkhitaryan
Mata
Lingard
Lukaku

&

Southampton Starting Line-up

McCarthy
Stephens
Hoedt
Yoshida
McQueen
Ward-Prowse
Romeu
Hojbjerg
Tadic
Long
Boufal
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Manchester United!
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Manchester United 0 Vs 0 Southampton

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku injured!

Get well soon Lukaku!
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Manchester United 0 Vs 0 Southampton

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

3rd consecutive draw

Goal ekak score karaganna bari unaneslow,miss place passesmehema play karala kohomada Title ekata fight karannemethana okkotama wada thiyenne individual performance wala awlakTitle fight eka kesewethath Top 4 secure karaganna nam meeta wada hodata play karanna wenawa.

Mourinho January wala team eka tikak strength karaganna baluwoth hodai.

Next Everton away match eka.Good luck Manchester United!
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 0 Southampton 0: Slim title hopes fading fast for Mourinho

Manchester United's faltering pursuit of runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City hit another bump in the road on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton.

United welcomed Southampton to Old Trafford having failed to pick up a win from their previous two top-flight fixtures, drawing 2-2 at Leicester City before labouring to the same result at home to Burnley on Boxing Day.The hosts lost Romelu Lukaku to a head injury after only eight minutes and, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic omitted from the squad by Jose Mourinho, introduced Marcus Rashford to lead the line.


But United failed to cause goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – in for the dropped Fraser Forster – any real problems, although they did have a goal disallowed late on after an offside Paul Pogba got a touch to a Nemanja Matic effort that could have snuck inside the post without his intervention.

United could now start the new year 17 points adrift of City if their fierce rivals extend their winning run to 19 matches at Crystal Palace on Sunday.


The home side had already lost second spot to Chelsea following a 5-0 win for Antonio Conte's side against Stoke City earlier in the day, while Southampton are now without a win in eight league matches, although they will be happy to take this point.

As Mourinho elected to leave Rashford and Anthony Martial on the bench and Ibrahiovic out entirely, Lukaku remained the focal point of the United attack and should have done better when he headed over from close range following a left-footed Juan Mata cross, before James Ward-Prowse drew a diving save from David De Gea with a low drive towards the bottom right-hand corner.

Lukaku's match lasted only eight minutes as a clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt forced Mourinho to introduce Rashford, with the Belgian striker receiving treatment on the pitch for several minutes before leaving the field on a stretcher, seemingly in some discomfort.

Ward-Prowse was on target once more with from a 19th-minute free-kick – De Gea again equal to the effort – before McCarthy was called into action for the first time to keep out a Mata daisy-cutter.

Calls for a penalty against Maya Yoshida went unrewarded by referee Craig Pawson after the ball made contact with the Southampton defender's arm in the box, and Jesse Lingard sent a glancing header just wide of the target from a Henrikh Mkhitaryan cross as half-time approached.Shane Long was denied by the outstretched leg of De Gea after stealing a march on Matic at the start of the second period, before Ashley Young curled a free-kick wide of the left-hand post.

Dusan Tadic headed over and then guided an effort wide as the Saints began to look most likely to make the breakthrough, but United managed to withstand their advances.Matic's late strike looked to be heading for the left-hand upright when Pogba made the touch that saw the effort disallowed, although it could well have crept in had the France international left the ball alone.

But United will be left to wonder what might have been as their already slim title hopes faded further in their last action of 2017.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 0 Lazio 0: Nerazzurri's Scudetto tilt dealt another blow

Inter's Scudetto challenge was dealt another blow as they had to cling on for a 0-0 draw against Lazio at San Siro on Saturday.A fourth successive Serie A match without a win has seen Inter, who were the early pacesetters following a 16-game unbeaten run, slide to third, with the gap to leaders Napoli now standing at seven points.

It could have been even worse, too. Lazio thought they had been given a glorious opportunity to take the lead when official Gianluca Rocchi awarded a penalty for handball against Milan Skriniar in the second half, but that decision was overturned after he had consulted the video assistant referee (VAR) system.


The Nerazzurri had their chances as well. Ivan Perisic - making his 100th Inter appearance in all competitions - was kept out from 10 yards by the brilliant Thomas Strakosha, who turned a shot from Borja Valero against the post in the second half.

Lazio substitute Felipe Anderson fired two great openings wide as Simone Inzaghi's side pushed for a winner that would have sent them level with fourth-placed Roma.

Chances were at a premium during an even start to proceedings, with Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile unable to make the most of swift counter-attacks that pulled Inter apart.


When the Nerazzurri finally created a chance of their own in the 19th minute, Antonio Candreva was unable to rise high enough to nod a cross from Perisic beyond Strakosha.

Lazio immediately responded and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the January transfer window - had a thumping 20-yard effort turned around the post by Samir Handanovic, before Bastos steered a free header over from the resulting corner.Perisic went close to putting Inter ahead in the 30th minute, only for Strakosha to react excellently and tip his half-volley from Valero's cross behind.

There was nothing Handanovic could do when Valero looped a header over him when defending a corner in first-half stoppage time, but the crossbar stopped the Spaniard netting an embarrassing own goal.Valero hit the woodwork at the other end 12 minutes after the restart, a fierce drive from the edge of the area pushed onto the upright by the diving Strakosha.

Lazio continued to threaten on the break and referee Rocchi initially gave a penalty when Skriniar's block on an Immobile cross ricocheted onto his arm, but after a VAR referral the handball was deemed to be accidental.The visitors pushed for a winner and Felipe Anderson – a 65th-minute replacement for Alberto – burst into the box and flashed a shot wide of the far post as the clock ticked down.

A swift break after Joao Mario ceded possession nine minutes from time ended with Immobile crossing for Felipe Anderson, who missed the target from 10 yards.
Perisic wasted a final chance for Inter when he headed straight at Strakosha, with their recent difficulties in front of goal showing no sign of letting up.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 2 Leicester City 1: Salah overhauls Vardy strike as £75m Van Dijk looks on

Mohamed Salah's second-half brace sealed a pulsating come-from-behind 2-1 win for Liverpool over Leicester City at Anfield.Fourth-placed Liverpool are now unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches, a run that owes much to the brilliant Salah.

The Egypt forward now has 23 goals in all competitions this season – more than the total mustered by eight Premier League clubs – and his inspiration was needed after a shaky start.


Virgil van Dijk, who will replace Salah as Liverpool's record signing when his £75million switch from Southampton is completed, looked on from the stands as some abject defending allowed Jamie Vardy to score for the seventh time in his past five outings against the Reds inside three minutes.

Claude Puel's side, who remain eighth in the standings, were subjected to relentless waves of attack for their trouble and, although they held out manfully until the break, a deserved Liverpool win was sealed by Salah 14 minutes from time.


Such revelry was some way away when Jurgen Klopp's men quickly offered a strong demonstration as to why Van Dijk has been made the most expensive defender of all time.

Joel Matip's pass out of defence sold Emre Can short and his lunging challenge did not fluster Vicente Iborra, with the former Sevilla midfielder clipping a fine pass into the path of Riyad Mahez to set up Vardy for a simple finish.

Salah spearheaded the Liverpool response, thudding a low shot wide from inside the box before being hauled in by a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire.

Any time Leicester's pacey attack of Vardy, Mahrez and Demarai Gray were allowed a sight of Liverpool's backline the hosts looked vulnerable. The thrilling solution to this for Klopp's team was to select all-out attack as the best means of defence.

Sadio Mane was ruled offside when he converted a left-wing Salah cross at the back post, while Liverpool's top scorer floated a chip wide on the angle on another foray into the Leicester area after 20 minutes.City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could only shovel a low drive from Roberto Firmino back into his own box, where defender Daniel Amartey unconvincingly cleared behind.

From another corner, in the 37th minute, Schmeichel failed to gather and Matip saw his resulting shot blocked by cluster of blue shirts.Any Liverpool goal promised to be something to savour and so it proved when Salah restored parity seven minutes into the second half.

Can fired a pass to Mane, who spotted his team-mates run and spun a wonderful backheel into Salah's path. Once in the area, the ex-Roma man negotiated a pair of challenges and drilled home a low finish.

Leicester found themselves threatened with the second-half misery Swansea City endured at this ground on Boxing Day and Salah lifted an effort onto the roof of the net following a sumptuous Philippe Coutinho throughball.Mane was denied by the offside flag for the second time in the 66th minute, having scampered just beyond Amartey in anticipation of Salah's pass.

At the other end, a Christian Fuchs' long throw caused consternation and Wilfred Ndidi rifled a sweet left-footed strike wide when Liverpool failed to effectively clear. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was rooted to the spot.Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot was too close to Schmeichel before the winner arrived in the 76th minute.

It came from more slick Liverpool interplay, with James Milner accepting a pass from Firmino to apply the deft flick on that occasion, leaving Salah to turn the tireless Maguire and shoot unerringly past a helpless Schmeichel.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 5 Stoke City 0: Conte's men cruise past under-strength Potters

Chelsea moved into second place in the Premier League with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over a much-changed Stoke City side at Stamford Bridge.

Mark Hughes opted to make six changes for Saturday's clash with one eye on their meeting with Newcastle United on January 1, and his under-strength side were swept aside.Antonio Rudiger and Danny Drinkwater put the hosts 2-0 ahead inside the opening 10 minutes as a thrashing looked in the offing.


When Pedro added a third midway through the opening half it became a question of how many Chelsea would score, although they were relieved to see Mame Biram Diouf's effort disallowed.

Chelsea took their foot off the gas in the second half, but still saw Alvaro Morata and Pedro denied by Jack Butland, although there was nothing the Stoke goalkeeper could do with Willian's late penalty.Davide Zappacosta added a fifth in the 88th minute with a drilled effort from outside the area.

Victory temporarily lifts Chelsea above Manchester United – who play Southampton later in the day - in the table ahead of their trip to Arsenal, while Stoke's attention's turn to an important clash with the Magpies at the bet365 Stadium on Monday.


From the kick-off Chelsea were on the attack and, after wasting an early corner, they quickly found a way past Butland, Rudiger climbing above Tom Edwards at the back post to head home. The German defender had the simple task of nodding in from Willian's pinpoint free-kick after Victor Moses had been tripped by Josh Tymon on the right.

There was no respite for Stoke as Drinkwater quickly doubled Chelsea's advantage with his first goal for the club, the midfielder lashing into the top corner having been given all the time in the world to control Pedro's blocked cross.

Chelsea's utter dominance produced a third goal after 23 minutes as Pedro became the latest player to beat Butland, the Spaniard exquisitely turning away from Tymon before firing across the Stoke goalkeeper.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Morata both wasted chances for a fourth home goal before the break, while Chelsea were grateful to the assistant referee for disallowing Diouf's cool finish for handball.

After nearly two years without a league goal, Saido Berahino brought a save out of Thibaut Courtois early in the second period, the Belgium international getting down well to his left.

As the clock ticked over the hour mark Butland was on hand twice to deny Chelsea a fourth, Morata denied when one-on-one before the England goalkeeper punched away Pedro's left-foot drive.The goalkeeper could do nothing to deny Willian after 73 minutes, though, as the forward capped an impressive display with his third of the season.

It came after a slice of luck as Geoff Cameron was punished for a challenge on the Brazilian, but it mattered little to Willian, who sent Butland the wrong way to get a deserved goal.

Substitute Zappacosta wrapped up a five-star display from the defending champions in the closing minutes, his low strike fizzing beyond the hands of Butland to wrap up an easy win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fiorentina 1 AC Milan 1: Calhanoglu earns stuttering Rossoneri a point

Hakan Calhanoglu swiftly cancelled out Giovanni Simeone's opener as AC Milan battled back to secure a 1-1 Serie A draw at Fiorentina on Saturday.

Gennaro Gattuso's side overcame fierce rivals Inter 1-0 in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday but it looked as though they would fall to a third straight league defeat without scoring when Simeone headed in Cristiano Biraghi's excellent cross in the 71st minute.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes as Calhanoglu fired home a rebound from close range, meaning the Rossoneri avoided going three straight Serie A games without scoring for the first time since November 2001, when Gattuso was tearing around the Milan midfield with trademark tenacity.A generally dour affair belatedly came to life after an initial 70 minutes that were only notable for Gianluigi Donnarumma impressing on his 100th appearance for the San Siro giants.

A groin injury meant elder brother Antonio had taken his place against Inter but Donnarumma Jnr was back at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, where he made saves from Simeone, Gil Dias and Milan Badelj either side of half-time.

He had no chance of keeping out Simeone's powerful header, but Calhanoglu's speedy reactions ensured the Viola conceded for the first time in 499 league minutes and rescued a point for Milan.


The tone for a largely turgid encounter was set early on but, after 39 minutes produced almost nothing by way of goalmouth action, there was a moment of controversy when Simeone was brought down as he looked to burst through on the edge of the box. Alessio Romagnoli received only a yellow card for his foul and Jordan Veretout crashed the free-kick into the wall.

Three minutes later Donnarumma raced from his line to smother at the feet of Simeone and in stoppage time the goalkeeper parried Dias' header up and onto the crossbar as Fiorentina ended the half strongly.Donnarumma picked up where he left off two minutes into the second period, getting down low to his right to keep out Badelj's curling effort.

The visitors' attack belatedly kicked into gear shortly afterwards as Suso cut in on his left and unleashed a shot that Marco Sportiello tipped over. Simeone then left Donnarumma with no chance, rising unmarked to nod in from close range, but the lead was rapidly wiped out as Sportiello parried Suso's effort into the path of Calhanoglu, who smashed into the roof of the net.

Sportiello denied substitute Andre Silva in the final minute of normal time as both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils - a fifth draw in the Viola's seven-match unbeaten run.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'We missed something' - Guardiola claims lack of changes prove he was off last season


Pep Guardiola believes he missed something at Manchester City last season, not least in failing to field Fabian Delph at left-back.

The Premier League leaders head to Crystal Palace on Sunday, where victory would extend their record-breaking winning run in the top-flight to 19 matches – the same as the Bundesliga best Guardiola established with Bayern Munich in 2013-14 – and open up a 16-point advantage over second-place Chelsea.

It is a far cry from the former Barcelona coach's debut season in England, where City only made sure of Champions League qualification in the final round of fixtures and finished trophyless.

Guardiola bolstered his squad, with more than £200 million spent on new first-team arrivals before the start of the current campaign, but only goalkeeper Ederson and right-back Kyle Walker have been regular starters as City have torn numerous opponents to shreds.

The majority of the side, from vastly improved centre-back Nicolas Otamendi to surprise top scorer Raheem Sterling, have been drawn from players Guardiola led in 2016-17, leading him to ponder where he went wrong.

"Now when I speak with my staff I say that, in the end, we are playing with nine players from last season. So, we did something not good last season," he said."We missed something."We didn't change seven or eight players. I think the new players give energy, with the way they are in the locker room. New faces always help teams.

"But last season I missed something, when nine players who normally play are the same and the players in midfield and up front are the same."Something happened. Of course, they know us better and we know them better. Sometimes you need more time to adjust."

A cruciate knee ligament injury to showpiece signing Benjamin Mendy led to Delph being deployed at left-back – a position the England midfielder has held onto since September thanks to series of assured displays.

"Last season, for example, I never thought to play Fabian Delph at full-back," Guardiola reflected, before mocking some of the lavish praise recently sent his way. "'Oh, the brilliant Pep, how talented he is…'. Why didn't I do that last season?"Sometimes you need more time to see things. Now Mendy isn't there. Fabian is there, he is able, he is smart, he is a midfield player.

"He gives us character. He is a real leader in the locker room, Fabian Delph. That's why I always give credit to the players for what they do."Buoyant post-match celebrations have been a feature of City's dominant form, hitting the headlines when they were allegedly the spark for a post-match incident in the Old Trafford tunnel following the 2-1 derby win over Manchester United earlier this month.

Guardiola is delighted to see the bond that has developed between his players - especially those confined to bit-part roles - and feels it will be crucial if they are to collect silverware come May.

"The players who do not play regularly, they are exceptional human beings," he added. "We cannot create something when the people who do not play regularly, they always create problems, have bad faces and bad behaviour. "You can ask all the managers who have success and win titles, always there is a common thing – the group is strong. Not 11 players, the group."Everyone has desire to win, everybody wants to win and dreams to do that. When that happens, everything can happen."