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In the Champions League on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s selection choice flopped as Manchester City fell to Bayer Leverkusen with a shock 2-0 defeat.

Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were all cut out of the starting lineup, despite Guardiola’s surprise resting of the majority of his stars at the Etihad Stadium.

Leverkusen capitalized on Guardiola’s understudy’s poor performance in the first half when Alex Grimaldo gave the Germans the lead before Patrik Schick netted after the break to stoke unsatisfaction from City fans at the final whistle.

City were defeated at home in the Champions League prior to the knockout stages for the first time in 24 games dating back in 2018.

After falling to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday with a score of 2-1, City suffered a second straight defeat.

This season, City are now seven points clear of Arsenal’s leaders after losing four of their matches in the Premier League.

Guardiola’s team’s first Champions League defeat in five games should not have helped them advance to the last 16, but they will have learned from the fact that Guardiola’s reserves aren’t quite as formidable as he would have liked.

Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game as City boss was a weary squib, in stark contrast to the previous 99, which included 62 victories and the club’s first European crown in 2023.

After the contentious defeat at Newcastle, Guardiola claimed that he was “embarrassed and ashamed” after the cameraman’s on-screen altercation.

After this shoddy surrender, his players should be punished in the same way.

For the previous three games, Guardiola had chosen the same lineup, but with ten changes, that unusually consistent selection policy was voided.

Guardiola’s decision may have been influenced by the fact that City will play two games per week for the majority of December, including a trip to Real Madrid for their upcoming Champions League game.

  City flaws

When the defender took Oscar Bobb’s pass from a half-cleared corner and fired a close-range effort that was forced to tip over Mark Flekken, it almost gave City the lead after five minutes.

However, City lacked a killer instinct and paid for a poor piece of defending in the 23rd minute despite having the upper hand.

Grimaldo finished with a flourish as he lashed a low drive past James Trafford from 12 yards, but Malik Tillman and Christian Kofane had more time and space to play.

Guardiola appeared particularly irritated by Abdukodir Khusanov’s leaden-footed attempt to close down Grimaldo before the goal, who rubbed his head in frustration on the touchline.

City had lost to City for the first time this season in the Champions League, and the result was unfavorable.

Omar Marmoush struggled to make up for Haaland, but Bobb nearly won the match with a deflected cross that Flekken blocked with his leg.

On the eve of half-time, Tijjani Reijnders should have brought City level, but after bursting into the area, he fired straight at Flekken.

At the interval, Guardiola sent Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, and Nico O’Reilly on.

A long-range strike that tested Flekken threatened an immediate impact from O’Reilly.

However, in the 54th minute, City’s weaknesses in their revamped defense were once more exposed.

Schick stubbed his way across the culpable Ake and curled an inswinging cross into the far corner.

After Marmoush’s valiant appeal for a penalty, Guardiola finally introduced Haaland after Marmoush failed to convert a good chance to reduce the deficit.

However, after missing a number of important chances in Newcastle, Haaland again drew a blank and fluffed his lines with a poor finishing that gave Flekken the opportunity to save when he should have.

Xabi Alonso, the coach of Real Madrid, said on Tuesday that he must be aware of the media’s rumors about his future while in charge.

Los Blancos have lost all three of their previous three games, with reports that some players are unsatisfied with Alonso’s management.

Alonso, who played for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014, said he was inspired by some of his former coaches, including Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

Alonso said in a press conference ahead of his team’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos on Wednesday that it is “demanding.” “I’m not the first coach to have to deal with these kinds of situations,” he added.

“I think a lot about how Carlo or Mou handled it as coaches under whom I was playing.” Because these are not recent events, (Manuel) Pellegrini did this in his day.

READ MORE: Real Madrid Loses Points In Rayo Draw.

We are not happy with the last few games, but you have to know how to live with it and have the drive and self-criticism required as well.

Madrid finished seventh in the league phase table the previous week, but Liverpool did it at Anfield in their final European game.

They won Alonso’s first Clasico in La Liga against Barcelona in October, but they lost to Rayo Vallecano and Elche in their previous two matches.

Despite their recent form, Madrid is just one point ahead of Barcelona, the champions of last season.

Alonso took over from Ancelotti in the summer, despite the Basque coach’ apparent lack of team unity.

Vinicius Junior expressed his frustration with Alonso’s choice of him over Barcelona, while Fede Valverde objected to the coach’s frequent use of him at right-back.

Alonso said, “I have had to live with a lot of great players and big personalities who are demanding, knowledgeable, and always seek the best.”

They react in these ways, but they are normal, which makes them successful.

When Paris Saint-Germain take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday, BALLON d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele might make his most recent comeback since a season-long injury thrash.

On the eve of the game in the French capital, coach Luis Enrique declared to reporters, “We will see tomorrow, but if he has no problems, then he will be in the squad.”

Dembele, 28, recently won the Ballon d’Or for his outstanding performances last year, but due to various health issues, he has only started five games for PSG this campaign.

His previous appearance was in the reigning European champions’ 2-1 home loss to Bayern Munich three weeks ago, when he only played 25 minutes before suffering a calf problem.

Also read: Dembele Set For PSG Return After Six Weeks Out,

With Ousmane, it will be even more careful than usual when a player recovers from injury, according to Luis Enrique.

Prior to the meeting with Spurs, PSG, who won their first three appearances in the elite club competition in Europe this year before losing to Bayern, are without star duo Desire Doue and African footballer of the year Achraf Hakimi.

Spurs are a point further back in 10th place overall, while the Parisians are fifth overall in the 36-team standings. The top eight at the end of the league stage advance to the last 16, with the top 16 teams joining them in a play-off round.

The clubs will meet for the second time this season; they previously squared off in the UEFA Super Cup in August when PSG rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 before winning on penalties.

As his trial for allegedly driving his car into crowds at the Premier League victory parade at Liverpool Football Club in May, which allegedly injured dozens of people, started on Tuesday.

As jurors sworn in to hear the case against Paul Doyle in northwest England, Paul Doyle held his head in his hands.

The 54-year-old entered not-guilty pleas to four newly amended counts while sporting a suit and glasses.

He denies 31 charges, including assault, driving dangerously, wounding with intent, and grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

READ MORE: &nbsp, Nottingham Forest defeated Liverpool 3-0, Compound EPL Champions’ Woes

His trial, which will be heard by a jury of five women and seven men, is scheduled to last three to four weeks.

The jurors were informed by Judge Andrew Menary that they would return on Wednesday morning, the day the prosecution would start the case with a summary of their evidence.

Doyle, a suburb of Liverpool, is accused of striking people as they left the May 26 victory parade in honor of their victory.

When the Premier League season came to an end, the club had already won a record-equal 20th English top flight title.

In front of hundreds of thousands of spectators, the team’s players had paraded the trophy along the city’s waterfront.

Some of the city’s main thoroughfares had been made available for normal traffic so the parade could pass.

Scores injured

Prosecutors claimed that Doyle “drove deliberately at people” and “used his vehicle deliberately as a weapon” at his first hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on May 30.

Doyle also showed emotion that day, shedding all tears as he sat in the dock.

Merseyside Police quickly determined that the incident wasn’t terrorist. However, it is still unclear what happened to the alleged attack.

According to the force, 134 people were hurt when Doyle, reportedly a former Royal Marine, allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium&nbsp into the crowds, including children, adults, and infants.

50 people needed hospital care, despite there being no fatalities.

When police cleared a path for a medical emergency, Doyle allegedly followed an ambulance down the deserted Water Street in his car.

One child and four other people were trapped beneath the vehicle, according to fire services at the time.

29 victims, eight of whom were children at the time, are named in the criminal charges. The youngest was six-months-old.

Some witnesses are reportedly preparing to testify from behind the scenes.

Following the incident that caused a day of joy to turn into a chaotic scene, Doyle, a father-of-three, has been in police custody since his arrest.

Harry Kane, who has arguably had his best career, returns to north London on Wednesday to face Arsenal, who have shifted into a deeper position.

The England captain has become a more complete player at Bayern, taking on more creative and defensive duties, despite always being a consistent goalscorer.

Bayern’s remarkable start to the campaign is largely due to the 32-year-old’s form.

Kane has played every match of each of their 18 games this season, winning 17 and drawing one of the others.

Kane may hold the key to unlocking the Gunners’ stingy defense, having scored 15 goals in 21 games for Arsenal.

The only Champions League team to have won this season is Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal has scored just six goals in the Premier League, which is the best result among the top five leagues in Europe.

Kane has scored 24 goals in his first 18 Bayern games and five goals overall for England this campaign.

However, Kane’s weight of numbers only serves to illustrate this season’s narrative.

Kane has frequently been used by Bayern coach Vincent Kompany as a creative midfielder, sitting behind either Serge Gnabry or Nicolas Jackson, and has always been willing to dip deep.

Jamal Musiala has been out with a broken ankle since the Club World Cup, whether by design or necessity, so Kane’s game has been sparked by the move.

After Saturday’s come-from-behind 6-2 victory over Freiburg, Kane said, “I know I’m not just a goal-scorer.” I can make a team feel more comfortable by passing through one-on-one situations and removing the pressure.

Because I’m just more active, I’ve enjoyed my football more than this. We play in a way that I adore. No fear, just a really aggressive style.

I enjoy blocking shots, helping the team out, and all of that, too.

I’m going to be judged on my goals, of course, but I think people will appreciate some of my other efforts, especially this one this year. ”

With Luis Diaz, who scored both of Bayern’s goals in 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Kane will have to bear a little more of the scoring load. Diaz was sent off three Champions League games for a tackle on Achraf Hakimi, who received both of his goals.

Additionally, outstanding Olise lifts Bayern to victory in the Bundesliga with eight points.

‘Very well-known territory’  

Kane left Tottenham in 2023 after being cut by Arsenal’s rivals in north London as a child. He then joined Bayern.

Kane said on Saturday, “I was there for a couple of years and got released,” but he did not use the rejection as a motivating factor.

It is integral to the development of football. That was long ago, 20 years ago.

Since then, we have made significant progress. ”

Kane scored a penalty for Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal in 2023-24.

For me, it’s a lot of ground. It gives the game a little more depth because Tottenham has been around for so long, according to Kane.

One of Arsenal’s greatest assets is that they are vulnerable to set-pieces, which they are, but they are flying high.

In their last two games, Bayern have conceded four goals, all of which came on set plays.

This season, Arsenal have scored 24 goals in the Premier League, including 10 from set pieces.

Kompany acknowledged that his side had a “issue” with absurd circumstances, saying, “Everyone saw it. You can’t hide it. The analysts for Arsenal will also notice it.

We must display personality, character, and defend those things. But I can trust our side. ”

On the eve of Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday, Enzo Maresca has minimized comparisons between Estevao and Lamine Yamal, two rival teenagers.

Estevao, 18, has scored nine goals for both club and country since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July.

At his pre-game press conference on Monday, Chelsea manager Maresca was asked if Yamal, who is only three months younger than Estevao, would serve as a good role model for his team.

The Italian claimed that despite his tender years, the Brazilian had already established himself at the top.

Estevao is already playing well; He is already with Brazil’s starting eleven. He is undoubtedly very young; We are very pleased with him, Maresca told reporters. “He can do many things better.

Estevao, Lamine Yamal, and (Barcelona midfielder) Pedri are both admirable footballers, according to the article. He continued, “This is the beauty of football.”

Estevao must cut out the noise, according to Maresca.

He will undoubtedly play an important role for this club. Without a doubt, for the future.

He must be content, he says. He is not required to consider whether he is superior to either this player or the other player.

He simply needs to improve every day. He advised people to work hard and get better.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was reportedly recovering from a toe injury, but Maresca noted that it was unlikely he would face Barcelona or Arsenal over the weekend.

Cole is wearing a protective boot. He won’t be back, but it will undoubtedly be soon, we know.

Maresca said, “He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball, and the feeling is good for him.”

Chelsea lead the league standings of Barcelona with seven points after four games, which ranks them 11th overall.

Maresca claimed that Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, who were twice champions of Europe while he was Manchester City manager between 2008 and 2012, had had a significant impact on him.

According to Maresca, “I made the decision to work for Pep’s team, Barcelona, years ago,”

I’ve said it many times that any club, any team can choose the way they want to play, even if clubs or teams choose a different style. I made the decision years ago, and I’m looking forward to watching my team play football and also in the future. ”