There are rousing words from Kevin De Bruyne, an early look ahead to Wednesday’s opening European assignment away at Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as reflections on City Women’s third straight win of the new season.
There’s also praise for one of our youngsters currently out on loan in the Championship as well as a snippet of transfer gossip so no shortage of news to digest…
From the players
Daily Mirror – De Bruyne fires warning to Liverpool
Hassan Rashed: “Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has insisted he isn’t concerned about Liverpool’s early lead in the Premier League title race.
“Pep Guardiola’s side lost ground to the leaders following a surprise 3-2 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday.
READ: Guardiola | We will find a solution
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“However, after helping his team claim the title last season by overturning an even bigger points deficit, De Bruyne said he is not worried about losing ground to their rivals so early in the season.
“Last season we were seven points behind – it happens,” said De Bruyne. “Of course we want to win every game but it is difficult.
“It will be tough, the next seven months, like last year. It never stops. It is our job and sometimes it is hard but you have to take it on the chin.
“We lost four games out of 38 last season and that is a good record. We can still win this season with the same points at the end of this season.”
Opinion
coachesvoice.com – City primed for Champions League progress
“Pitted in Group C against Atalanta, Shaktar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb despite the injury to Aymeric Laporte, City can still be expected to continue to dominate possession and thus form a three-strong defensive line when building against group opponents.
“City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko often advances inside to create a double pivot, to avoid sacrificing a central attacker ahead of possession, with right-back Kyle Walker remaining deeper to form a back three. The alternative option is to use a narrow back three, by advancing a central defender; last season Fernandinho often dropped between his central defenders before moving to create a double pivot during build-ups.
“The latter may even prove preferable against European opponents who will look to transition into attack through the inside channels and from out wide.
“Even on the occasions City’s defence appears vulnerable, however, an attack featuring the likes of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling playing ahead of the superb Kevin De Bruyne is sufficiently potent to lead them into the round of 16 without too much fuss.”
News
Skysports.com - City flying high after Reading win
“Manchester City moved into second in the Women’s Super League after a 2-0 win against Reading, while Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton.
“Pauline Bremer scored twice for City at Adams Park as they maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.
READ: Bremer | I’m enjoying every minute!
WATCH: How the Women’s derby was won
“The Germany international put City ahead in the 30th minute with a strike from the edge of the box and added a second goal just prior to the hour mark, finishing the follow-up after her initial effort was blocked by goalkeeper Grace Moloney.
“Bremer came close to making it a hat-trick in the 73rd minute when her header hit a post.
“City are one of two teams to have so far registered two wins from two games, the other being Everton following their 2-0 home victory over Bristol City.”
womenscompetitions.thefa.com – Bremer strikes at the double
“A brace from Pauline Bremer saw Manchester City continue their one hundred per cent start to their season as they clinched a 2-0 win over Reading at Adams Park.
www.lancs.live – Mowbray praise for Adarabioyo
George Hodgson: “Tosin Adarabioyo returned to the Blackburn side after a spell on the sidelines through injury and the central defender, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, earned praise from Rovers boss Tony Mowbray after a 2-0 win over Millwall.
“Certain aspects of his game pleased his manager, but Mowbray knows there’s a lot more to come from him.
“He praised: “His delivery of the ball, his ability to pick the right pass and his quality on the ball is amazing to be honest.
“He has to work on the intensity that I’ve drilled into Lenihan and Williams for two-and-a-half years.
“I think he just has to get up to that Championship level, but some of his qualities are really good and he has huge ambition.
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“He’s a young boy whose still got things to learn, he’s a very talented footballer with the ball at his feet.”
Transfer gossip
footballtransfertavern.com – City transfer target makes decision on future
“Thiago Almada, the young attacking midfielder who had been a transfer target for Manchester City this summer, has committed his future to current club Velez Sarsfield.
“Velez Sarsfield confirmed on their Twitter channel @Velez [via Golazo Argentino] that the 18-year-old has signed a new four-year deal with the club which will take him up to 2023.
“According to Golazo Argentino, the deal includes an increased release clause of €19m (£16.95m) if triggered before next February, €22m (£19.63m) up to next August and a final €25m (£22.3m) for the remainder of the player’s contract.
“Portuguese media outlet Record reported [via Sport Witness] this summer that Manchester City were in negotiations with Velez Sarsfield over the teenager, with O Jogo claiming that the Premier League champions had a bid of €10m (£8.92m) rejected by the Argentine Superliga club.”
