Kevin De Bruyne faces ‘few weeks out’ after suffering another hamstring injury
Pep Guardiola confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will be out for “a few weeks” after being forced out of Manchester City’s opening-day win at Burnley. City launched their defence of the Premier League title by cruising to a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Burnley as Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half before Rodri slammed home a third midway through the second. Victory over former City captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley was tainted by De Bruyne’s 23rd-minute withdrawal, with Guardiola revealing his talisman had injured the same hamstring that had kept him out at the end of last season. Guardiola said: “Hamstring again. Same position. It depends on the magnitude of the injury, but will be a few weeks out.” De Bruyne returned from a similar problem in time to start in the Champions League final in June but lasted only 36 minutes. Asked if the Belgium midfielder had returned too soon to start against Burnley, Guardiola said: “Maybe. Maybe it was my mistake, but when he is injured after 15-20 minutes it is not something wrong, when it is 65 it is the fatigue of the muscle. “We have to talk with the doctors and him. He was one year a long time injured, he came back from that position. “He is down. He fought a lot. The final of the Champions League. He felt really good. I prefer to start and make 50-55 minutes. He is disappointed, but he is strong and will be back.” Guardiola appeared to be involved in a furious bust-up with Haaland as the players left the pitch at half-time and the Spaniard explained why both were so animated. He added: “We discuss a lot. Erling wanted the ball immediately and Bernardo (Silva) don’t give it, it was one minute left and 0-2. “A minute earlier (the ball went) to Mateo Kovacic and we lost it. We have to finish at 0-2 and go to the second. I understand Erling, he wanted the ball, but Bernardo took the right decision.” Kompany, who won four Premier League titles at City, steered Burnley to the Sky Bet Championship title in his first season in charge and handed five summer signings their debuts. The Belgian said his new-look side will only get better and there were positives to take from their performance. He said: “It is progress again. This team has to be the worst it is ever going to be this season, at this moment in time. “You want to get a result, that is a given, but there are other things which create a foundation for the season – tackling, pressing, running at defenders one-on-one.” Second-half substitute Anass Zaroury was sent off in the closing stages after his yellow card for a challenge on Kyle Walker was changed to a red after referee Craig Pawson watched a replay on the pitch-side moniter. Kompany added: “The crowd has always been behind us. I wish we could’ve turned the momentum again in the last 20 minutes and created some more danger, but with the red card the game kind of settled. “We had enough today to get something. I am not saying a result, but to get on the score sheet.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Not my decision’ whether I get time to transform Chelsea – Mauricio Pochettino Erling Haaland at the double as Manchester City kick off new campaign in style Anthony Joshua focused only on Robert Helenius amid Deontay Wilder speculation
2023-08-12 07:24
Dakar Rally champion Al-Attiyah swaps motor for medals at Asian Games
Five-time Dakar Rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah did no training for the Asian Games -- and still came away with...
2023-09-28 14:22
Matt LaFleur’s reaction to Jordan Love’s preseason start will get Packers fans hyped
Jordan Love looked sharp in his Green Bay Packers preseason debut. Matt LaFleur furthered the hype with his postgame comments.The Green Bay Packers opened the preseason with a commanding 36-19 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The preseason is a hotbed for overreactions -- the games don'...
2023-08-13 07:26
Lillard makes triumphant NBA pre-season debut with Bucks
Damian Lillard made a triumphant NBA pre-season debut for the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, combining well with Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 108-97 road victory...
2023-10-16 10:22
Germany end Latvia's Basketball World Cup run to reach semis
Germany ended Latvia's dream run at the Basketball World Cup on Wednesday with a nervy 81-79 win to squeeze into the semi-finals and a...
2023-09-06 18:58
Alan Browne says Republic upsetting Netherlands ‘would mean an awful lot’
Alan Browne has challenged the Republic of Ireland to spoil the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 party as they look to end a disappointing campaign on a high. The curtain will fall on Ireland’s dismal attempt to make next summer’s finals at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with automatic qualification long beyond them and only six points from home and away victories over Group B minnows Gibraltar to show for their efforts to date. There will be little more than pride at stake for Stephen Kenny’s men on a night when victory would assure the Dutch of their ticket to Germany alongside leaders France, but Preston midfielder Browne is determined to make them sweat. Asked if the chance to put the champagne on ice provided added motivation, the 28-year-old said: “It’s not so much about spoiling their party, but we want to come here and win. “The lads will be aware that we can play with a bit of freedom, it’s a bit of a free hit for us – which is obviously disappointing to say as a player, but that’s the way it is. “We want to win the game and spoil their party to an extent, but it’s not a vendetta against them, it’s just as a professional you want to win every game that you play in, and especially at the highest level against one of the best teams in the world, you want to go out and beat them. “It would mean an awful lot for us to get that result.” The game seems likely to be the penultimate fixture of Kenny’s reign – his contract is due to expire after Tuesday night’s friendly against New Zealand in Dublin and the clamour for change after an overhaul which has significantly reduced the age profile of the squad, but yielded only six wins in 28 competitive outings, has grown in recent months. However Kenny, who will have striker Evan Ferguson at his disposal, but not the injured Chiedozie Ogbene, remained bullish as he surveyed the task ahead. He said: “It’s a fantastic game against Holland. In the history of Irish football, all the great Irish teams of the past, some legendary players, it’s been elusive, the number of big away victories in that period. “Obviously there have been victories in tournaments, but in terms of qualifiers, beating the major countries has proved elusive, even for the best teams. “For us it’s a massive challenge to play Holland on the night they can qualify in Amsterdam. It’s a huge, huge challenge and one we must embrace and be positive about.” Browne for one has enhanced his reputation under Kenny’s watch, scoring important goals against Serbia, Belgium, Scotland and Norway, and he remains convinced that, while it may not be borne out by results, progress has been made. He said: “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in the media, a lot of criticism, and rightly so in terms of results. It’s been a tough one. “The group we got, we knew it was an uphill battle right from the start. The teams we got, we were really unfortunate. Any other team would be unfortunate with it as well. In terms of performances, I think we have come a long way Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne “But that’s what you are up against, the best teams in the world, if you want to succeed you’ve got to beat them. “In terms of performances, I think we have come a long way. “Certainly since I first came in, in terms of team performances, we have definitely come a long way, we know that as players and staff. We have been in it together and just come up short in terms of results.” Read More Stephen Kenny’s last dance? 5 talking points as the Republic face Netherlands Golden Boy award recognises Jude Bellingham’s irrepressible rise at Real Madrid Fine finish hands Nicolai Hojgaard two-shot lead at halfway stage in Dubai Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier
2023-11-18 02:59
MLB Rumors: Mets offseason plans already falling apart
If New York Mets fans were hoping to land an All-Star at third base this offseason, it seems that that pursuit won't include Matt Chapman
2023-11-12 03:18
Unable to play professionally, Darwitz realizes women's hockey dream as one of PWHLs 6 GMs
Retired U.S. national team captain Natalie Darwitz and former Team Canada coach Daniele Sauvageau head a list of four women and two men named general managers of the newly established Professional Women’s Hockey League’s original six and yet-to-be-named franchises
2023-09-02 03:26
US Owners Tightening Grip on UK Football With Everton Deal Close
US investors’ pursuit of Europe’s historic football teams is accelerating, with Miami-based 777 Partners LLC closing in on
2023-09-12 21:45
Babar and Iftikhar centuries lead Pakistan to big win over newcomer Nepal in Asia Cup
Captain Babar Azam notched his 19th ODI hundred and Iftikhar Ahmed smashed 109 off 71 balls as Pakistan opened the Asia Cup with a resounding 238-run win over newcomer Nepal
2023-08-31 01:27
Andre Onana – Do the numbers back up the criticism?
Andre Onana failed to deal with two Hakim Ziyech free-kicks as Manchester United threw away a two-goal lead against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. It was the latest Champions League drama for the much-scrutinised goalkeeper and here, the PA news agency looks at his United record. Champions League roller coaster The 3-3 draw in Istanbul followed a 3-2 defeat in the first meeting with Gala and 4-3 losses to Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen as United, top scorers in Champions League Group A, prop up the standings. That contributes to Onana’s record of 33 goals conceded in 20 games since Erik ten Hag signed him from Inter Milan this summer to replace long-serving keeper David De Gea. He has conceded only 16 in 13 Premier League appearances – a slight improvement on De Gea’s record under Ten Hag at the same stage of last season, when he had conceded 18 – but remarkably has topped that in only seven appearances in other competitions, which also include a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle. By this date last season, United had conceded 25 goals in 21 games in all competitions – De Gea accounting for 23 in 20, albeit with his European appearances coming in the Europa League. Martin Dubravka was in goal for the 4-2 League Cup win over Aston Villa. One extreme or the other Onana has seven clean sheets with United, including a stoppage-time penalty save in the 1-0 home win over Copenhagen, but has conceded three or more on eight occasions – De Gea did so only six times the whole of last season, though they included losing 6-3 to Manchester City and 7-0 to Liverpool. United have this season lost league games 3-1 to Arsenal and Brighton and 3-0 to City, in addition to the Newcastle tie and the four Champions League games. Eight games represent 40 per cent of Onana’s United appearances to date, while De Gea conceded three or more in less than 10 per cent of games over his 12 years at Old Trafford. That ‘one extreme or the other’ approach this season leaves only five exceptions in which United have conceded either once or twice. They have four clean sheets and have conceded three or four in their other four games since beating Sheffield United 2-1 on October 21. How Onana compares De Gea won last season’s Premier League Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets and conceded 43 goals in 38 games, an average of 1.13 per game. Onana’s current rate of 1.23 would equate to 46.77 goals over the full league season – only twice have United conceded 47 or more, 54 in 2018-19 and 57 in 2021-22. De Gea was ever-present in the league for both of those seasons, comfortably United’s worst in the Premier League era. In 2018-19 they conceded 72 in 51 games in all competitions, an average of 1.41 per game. Last season, Ten Hag’s first in charge, United conceded 63 goals in 62 games overall – 1.02 per game. De Gea was ever-present apart from four Carabao Cup games shared between Dubravka and Tom Heaton. In mitigation for Onana, United have allowed more shots on target this season while dealing with injuries in defence. The Cameroon international has made 51 saves in 13 league games, already halfway to De Gea’s tally of 101 in 38 last term and averaging 3.9 per game, up from 2.7. Read More Lancashire sign Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon for 2024 season We have to own it – Scott McTominay urges Man Utd to atone for Galatasaray draw Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again
2023-11-30 19:51
Dan Crenshaw Pulls Out Glass Eye After GOP Wins Congressional Soccer Match
Dan Crenshaw popped out his glass eye after the Congressional Soccer Match.
2023-06-15 12:54
You Might Like...
Charlotte FC stage late comeback to seal Leagues Cup quarter-final spot vs Inter Miami
Chelsea set asking price for Man Utd target Mason Mount
AL MVP voting is all Shohei Ohtani needs to know when choosing next team
Harbaugh says he'd 'love to' talk about Michigan's sign-stealing investigation, but can't yet
Jets' commitment to QB Wilson has many fans and media puzzled. But there's no quick or easy solution
Aryna Sabalenka opts out of French Open press conference, saying she 'did not feel safe' at last press conference
Trevon Diggs continues to disrespect Dak Prescott at Cowboys training camp
Howard throws 3 TD passes to help Kansas State beat TCU 41-3
