It’s time for this morning’s roundup of the City headlines…
Transfer talk
Goal: Napoli identify Koulibaly replacement
Kunle Fayiga writes: “With the increasing likelihood of the Senegalese centre-back leaving the San Paolo, the Partenopei have not wasted time in finding another option.
“Serie A giants Napoli have targeted Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Nunez as a potential replacement should Kalidou Koulibaly be sold at any point.
“The Senegalese defender has been heavily linked with a move away from the Stadio San Paolo, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid jostling for his signature.”
Manchester Evening News: Man City stance on Ruben Dias and Kalidou Koulibaly transfer talk
Stuart Brennan writes: “So all the talk of City being in the chase for Benfica defender Ruben Dias - who they considered in the summer - or being prepared to break the bank for Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly, are agent chatter at best, wild speculation at worst.”
READ | Foden nominated for FIFA award
International
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria beat Colombia 3-0 in a friendly on Tuesday evening, with his second a superb solo effort that saw him cut inside from the right and beat three players before curling a fine effort into the bottom corner.
It’s the latest example of his quality. The 28-year-old has enjoyed an exceptional start to the 2019-20 season, scoring three and assisting seven for City already.
Man City Women
The Guardian: Atletico’s Toni Duggan returns to Manchester City with point to prove
Suzanne Wrack writes: “But a new season brings a new journey. Duggan, having scored in Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat of Atléti in front of a league record 60,739 fans last campaign, switched to the league winners this summer.
“A rollercoaster start to the season, however, has showed that this is not the same Atlético Madrid side that outclassed Manchester City in the round of 32 last season. In their second league game of the season, for example, they suffered a humiliating and shocking 6-1 defeat to Barcelona.
“A 90th-minute goal from Virginia Torrecilla ensured a 3-2 victory in Serbia against Spartak Subotica in the Champions League round of 32 first leg before a tense second game ended 1-1 to set up the meeting with City.
“The team are third in the league, only a point behind Barça and second-placed Deportivo de la Coruña, and it is not quite time to panic in Madrid, but with the manager José Luis Sánchez Vera departing – for personal, rather than performance-related, reasons according to the club – Atléti are going through a difficult period. The fairly unknown Pablo López, who has managed men’s teams in Segunda B and the third and fourth divisions, has stepped in until the end of the season.
“The trip to the north west of England will be his second game in charge, having started with a 1-0 win at Levante on Saturday. The game on Wednesday could not have offered a bigger test of his nascent tenure.
“City are flying in all competitions. Nick Cushing’s team are unbeaten and have only conceded once in seven games. Revenge for last season’s frustrating Champions League exit, beaten 2-0 at home after drawing 1-1 in Madrid, will be on their minds too. In Duggan, though, Atlético perhaps have the key to unlocking City if they can take advantage of her knowledge of the opposition manager and pick her brains on how to handle the 11 City players that she has played with internationally.”
READ | City v Atletico: Team News
WATCH | City v Birmingham | Match highlights
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BBC Sport: Women’s Champions League: Arsenal and Manchester City eye quarter-final spots
BBC Sport write: “To add to the sub-plot, Houghton will this time be up against her England team-mate Toni Duggan.
“This will be Duggan’s first meeting with her former club since leaving City in 2017 for Barcelona, where she spent two years, winning a Champions League runners-up medal last season, before moving to Madrid this summer.
“England defender Demi Stokes is back in the City squad, but striker Ellen White is still out injured, and midfielder Laura Coombs and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley are not ready to return to action.
“Although Georgia Stanway trained on Tuesday, she will miss the Atletico game, but should be back for Sunday’s WSL Cup derby with Man United.”
That’s all for this morning’s Media Watch – but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest City news.
