Winger Jeremy Doku insists Manchester City’s spirit remains unbroken after their Champions League elimination by Real Madrid on Tuesday, as attention quickly turns to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate following a battling performance with 10 men at the Etihad Stadium.
The English champions came into the second leg facing an uphill battle following a heavy 3-0 defeat at the Bernabeu last week.
Their task had already been complicated by a recent Premier League draw with West Ham, leaving them nine points adrift of current leaders Arsenal.
Focus shifts to Wembley showpiece
Despite the deflating European exit, the Belgian international believes domestic success is still well within reach for the club.
“We played well with 11 against 11 and 10 against 11, and created chances,” the attacker stated.
“I feel like if we play like that every game we’ll put many teams in trouble.”
“There’s still a lot to play for, we’re still in three competitions, three trophies to win, and if we do that it’s still going to be a great season.”
Silva receives dressing room support
The hosts suffered a massive setback just 20 minutes into the contest when captain Bernardo Silva was dismissed for handling a shot on the goal line.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior converted the resulting penalty to extend the visitors’ aggregate advantage.
While prolific striker Erling Haaland levelled the scoreline on the night, Vinicius struck again in stoppage time to permanently seal the tie.
Doku stressed that the Portuguese midfielder has the unwavering backing of his team-mates despite the costly red card.
“Knowing him, I know he takes it very personally, but even after it, we stood there, we were in the game,” he added.
“He’s disappointed but we’re all there for him because we know his contribution to the team is massive.”
The Premier League is at risk of losing an additional fifth Champions League qualification spot for next season following a series of damaging last-16 exits by English clubs.
England’s top flight could hypothetically boast an unprecedented seven teams in Europe’s elite competition if specific permutations align.
However, the prospect of securing even five places is now under severe threat due to recent disappointing continental performances.
Coefficient standings explained
As standard, the top four domestic finishers are guaranteed a berth in the expanded 36-team tournament.
A crucial fifth place is awarded to the two nations with the highest Uefa coefficient ranking at the end of the current campaign.
English sides initially performed strongly during the newly introduced league phase to build a healthy points advantage.
Rivals closing the gap
That European cushion has quickly deteriorated following the recent eliminations of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur also face an almost certain exit against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle United face a challenging trip to Barcelona with their tie firmly in the balance.
Should the Magpies fall, Arsenal could soon be the sole surviving English representative in the quarter-finals.
Spanish dominance
Spain are now primed to overtake England in the pivotal coefficient rankings.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico are all strongly positioned to reach the latter stages of the tournament.
Germany and Portugal are also closing the gap on the top two spots.
Both nations are bolstered by strong remaining contenders such as Bayern Munich and Sporting CP.
The path to seven teams
Achieving a record-breaking six or seven entries now relies heavily on optimistic hypothetical scenarios.
An extra qualification spot would only be granted if an English team outside the top five wins either the Champions League or Europa League.
The overall tournament winner is always guaranteed entry into the following season’s competition regardless of domestic league position.
Tottenham Hotspur are sweating on the fitness of Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League second-leg tie against Atletico Madrid.
Spurs must overturn a 5-2 deficit from last week’s first-leg defeat in the Spanish capital to advance to the next round of the elite European competition.
Hopes of a miraculous comeback are tempered by a dire run of form under new manager Igor Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank last month.
The north London club currently sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone and remain without a domestic victory in 2026.
Attacking crisis deepens for Tudor
The Croatian head coach confirmed in his pre-match press conference that his £65m centre-forward has sustained a minor physical issue.
Medical staff will assess the English striker on Wednesday morning to determine his availability for the matchday squad.
If the former Bournemouth man is ruled out, it leaves the 47-year-old manager with a severe shortage of attacking options.
Brazilian forward Richarlison is already serving a one-match suspension following a booking at the Estadio Metropolitano.
That leaves Randal Kolo Muani as the likely deputy, despite the French international being substituted at half-time during the bruising first-leg encounter.
Virus hampers midfield engine
Adding to the selection headache, a former Atletico player is struggling with a virus that has exacerbated his underlying asthma.
The January arrival from La Liga failed to train on Tuesday and is considered a major doubt to face his old employers.
“We’ll see today what we can do, because he has, as you know, probably asthma problems,” Tudor explained.
“He gets some virus, which is not a nice thing. We’re going to see if he’s able tomorrow to go on the bench, we hope.”
It has been a difficult adaptation period in England for the energetic midfielder, who has frequently found himself among the substitutes.
His all-action style relies heavily on cardiovascular endurance, making this breathing issue particularly problematic for his overall game.
Should the England international be completely ruled out, fit-again Swedish prospect Lucas Bergvall could take his place on the bench.
The club will undoubtedly exercise caution with a pivotal domestic fixture against Nottingham Forest looming on Sunday.
Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze has hit peak form at a crucial juncture of the season, scoring a spectacular goal against Bayer Leverkusen to boost the club’s quadruple ambitions ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker delivered a stunning 25-yard strike to secure a 2-0 Champions League victory in midweek.
Leandro Trossard provided the assist before the England international emphatically fired into the top corner.
Declan Rice, who also found the net against the German side, acknowledged his team-mate’s exceptional ball-striking ability.
“There aren’t many players I’ve seen that can hit the ball like him. We need to get him on the ball more.”
Declan Rice
Unlocking stubborn defences
Mikel Arteta’s squad have traditionally struggled to break down low blocks in recent campaigns.
However, the arrival of the dynamic attacker has provided an unpredictable edge to their forward line.
He registered seven shots during Saturday’s fixture against a deeply entrenched Everton defence.
Three further attempts followed in European competition, marking his highest output in a continental fixture.
Long-range efforts create valuable chaos inside the penalty area for advancing team-mates.
Such strikes often result in deflections, corners, or spectacular goals that bypass the goalkeeper entirely.
Peaking for Wembley
Historically, the talented 26-year-old thrives during the concluding months of the campaign.
Statistics show he averages a goal every other game between March and May, compared to just 0.19 during the autumn and winter.
This late-season surge perfectly aligns with the Gunners’ pursuit of major silverware.
Attention now turns to Wembley Stadium, where the north London outfit face Pep Guardiola’s side for the first domestic trophy of the season.
Despite Kai Havertz returning to fitness and Martin Odegaard nearing a comeback, the recent match-winner has firmly secured his manager’s trust.
Adapting to Arteta’s demands
Earning a starting berth has required significant development in his off-the-ball work.
An earlier mistake against Aston Villa temporarily curtailed his opportunities, but he has since adapted to the required pressing system.
The Spanish tactician demands relentless defensive work from his attacking midfielders.
“Without that, you have no chance to play in this team.”
Mikel Arteta
Meanwhile, Emirates Stadium supporters were also treated to a glimpse of the future at the weekend.
Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman announced his arrival with a memorable match-winning cameo to delight the home crowd.
United States forward Catarina Macario has completed a record-breaking transfer from Chelsea to San Diego Wave in a deal believed to be the largest in women’s football history.
The agreement, running until 2030, is reportedly worth around $8m in total compensation.
It marks a return to her childhood home for the attacker, who moved to Southern California from Brazil as a youth player.
The initial transfer fee paid to the English champions is understood to be $300,000.
NWSL introduces new financial rules
San Diego will utilise the National Women’s Soccer League’s newly introduced High Impact Player mechanism to fund the historic contract.
This regulation has been widely dubbed the ‘Rodman Rule’ across the United States.
It was implemented in December to ensure international star Trinity Rodman remained with the Washington Spirit.
The dynamic winger recently signed a new contract worth more than $2m annually.
That agreement makes the Spirit forward the highest-paid female player in global football on a yearly basis.
Macario seeks World Cup momentum
The blockbuster move ends the American international’s brief stint in London.
She previously enjoyed an illustrious start to her professional career with French giants Lyon before joining Chelsea in 2023.
The versatile playmaker will now look to establish consistent fitness and spearhead her new club’s attack.
San Diego desperately need a reliable focal point following a frustrating opening-weekend defeat to the Houston Dash.
Securing regular playing time will be crucial for the former Stanford University standout ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The next global tournament will be hosted in her native Brazil, providing massive personal incentive for a return to peak form.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has emerged as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender following a breathtaking season that includes a masterclass against Atalanta in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old delivered a dazzling performance during the first leg of their last-16 tie, scoring twice and providing an assist to secure a commanding 6-1 advantage.
No player across Europe’s top five leagues can match his astonishing tally of 23 assists across all competitions this season.
The former Crystal Palace attacker also leads all wingers globally with an exceptional 38 goal involvements.
Drawing comparisons to elite playmakers
Cutting inside onto his dominant left foot from the right flank has become a familiar sight at the Allianz Arena.
It is a trademark move that draws inevitable comparisons to club legend Arjen Robben.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany recently likened his star forward to Manchester City talisman Kevin de Bruyne.
“I don’t want to compare the players because they’re not the same but he has the mentality of Kevin de Bruyne.”
“I was lucky to watch him come through as a young player and become a superstar. I saw the whole process and it is that obsession with detail that Michael has.”
Flourishing in a dynamic attacking system
The French international joined the Bavarian giants in the summer of 2024 and immediately adapted to the intense demands of German football.
His rapid development was accelerated by a highly successful Olympic campaign with France and a mature transition away from his London roots.
European football expert Julien Laurens believes the fluid tactical system deployed by the current head coach perfectly suits such a creative talent.
“Kompany is the perfect coach for him. All the rotation and all the movement, when you are a creative player like Olise it must be amazing to play in.”
Prioritising team success over individual awards
Despite his languid playing style, the lightning-fast forward possesses a steely determination to win major trophies.
The coveted Ballon d’Or accolade remains a secondary objective as the domestic and European campaigns reach their crucial final stages.
“It’s nice to hear but there’s half of the season still to play, so I’m focused on the team and on team titles now.”
With a monumental 44 assists recorded since the start of last season, he undeniably stands alone among the continent’s elite attacking players.
Liverpool are struggling to replicate last season’s title-winning form under Arne Slot following a major summer squad overhaul and a shift away from their traditionally intense playing style.
The Dutch manager introduced a more controlled, possession-based approach when he replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
This deliberate transition away from the club’s trademark heavy-metal football initially paid dividends by keeping the squad remarkably fit during their previous league-winning campaign.
His impressive injury-prevention record ranked second only to Ruben Amorim at Sporting, making him highly attractive to the Merseyside hierarchy.
Fatigue and injuries disrupt title defence
The reigning champions have failed to enjoy the same fortune with player fitness during the current campaign.
A lack of stamina in the latter stages of matches has become a persistent issue for the struggling side.
After 60 minutes, we started to become sloppy and it’s not the first time. We have to address that.
Virgil van Dijk
The 46-year-old head coach has publicly acknowledged the growing discontent among the Anfield fanbase.
I must have done things wrong if fans are not happy.
Arne Slot
Summer sales impact pressing intensity
Tactical experts suggest last season’s success may have relied heavily on the underlying physical base built during the Klopp era.
A significant summer rebuild has severely impacted the team’s ability to execute a coordinated high press.
The loss of Diogo Jota critically disrupted pre-season preparations, while the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz removed three elite pressers from the squad.
Current forwards such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak are producing significantly fewer pressures per 90 minutes than their predecessors.
This lack of aggressive back-pressing has repeatedly exposed the midfield and highlighted the potential flaws in a less intense defensive system.
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has admitted he may be forced to retire from professional football after suffering a devastating shoulder injury that requires double surgery.
The 39-year-old Danish international sustained a dislocated shoulder alongside complex tears to his bicep, rotator cuff, and labrum.
Speaking on a CBS Sports broadcast, he confirmed the extensive rehabilitation process will keep him sidelined for up to 12 months.
With his current contract expiring at the end of the season, the veteran stopper acknowledged that his appearance on 22 February may have been his final professional game.
Devastating reality for experienced custodian
The former Premier League winner initially damaged the joint while on international duty against Portugal last year, but had continued to play through the pain.
I could have potentially played my last ever football game.
I have been a footballer since the day I was born. That kind of thought is devastating.
It’s very, very hard to wrap my head around, at the moment.
Sinisalo steps up for title run-in
Prior to this enforced absence, the long-serving international made 39 appearances across all competitions this term, conceding 49 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets.
However, recent inconsistent performances had drawn criticism from supporters, leading to deputy Viljami Sinisalo taking over starting duties last month.
Sinisalo is now set to remain in goal for the crucial upcoming Scottish Premiership fixtures as the Parkhead club attempt to catch current league leaders Hearts.
Managerial changes loom at Parkhead
The Glasgow giants are also preparing for significant changes off the pitch this summer, when interim manager Martin O’Neill is expected to depart.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is reportedly extremely keen on taking the permanent managerial role.
Askou has impressed during his tenure at Fir Park, guiding his side to fourth in the table and firmly establishing his credentials.