Watch again: Manchester City news conference – click play icon above
Build-up to Champions League week
England women face France and Republic of Ireland in Euros 2025 qualifying
Reaction to Arsenal's thrashing of Sheffield Utd
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Tim Abraham & Sarah Rendell
Thank you for all your input into the debate around Sheffield United's woeful season, and Arsenal's title chances.
Here's a selection of football stories on the BBC Sport website for you to digest :
We will back later on this evening for coverage of the second legs of the last-16 ties in the Champions League (Bayern Munich v Lazio and Real Sociedad v Paris Saint-Germain).
You can follow live text commentary and listen to all the action on BBC Radio 5 live here from 19:00 GMT…
Real Sociedad v Paris St-Germain (20:00 GMT)
If the events that unfolded in Paris St-Germain's last game are anything to go by, it is going to be an interesting final few months for Kylian Mbappe at the French club.
Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer and, although that has not been officially confirmed by PSG, it seems they are preparing for life without him.
Against Monaco last Friday, Mbappe was taken off during the break after a goalless first half for the France striker and his team.
But rather than sit with his team-mates on the PSG bench, Mbappe instead opted to join his mother in the stands.
"Sooner or later we'll have to get used to playing without Kylian," PSG boss Luis Enrique said after the game. "I have to take the best decisions for the team."
Read the full piece.
Bayern Munich v Lazio (20:00 GMT)
Serial winners. Germany's reigning champions. Rulers of Europe on six occasions.
Yet Bayern Munich find themselves on unfamiliar ground, 10 points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, as they chase a 12th consecutive German title.
Outgoing manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly singled out dissenting stars, external in what appears an unhappy dressing room and a second-leg rescue act will be required to advance past Lazio in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Read the full story.
There are two matches in the Champions League taking place this evening. Bayern Munch host Lazio, the Italian side won the first leg 1-0.
The other fixture sees Real Sociedad trying to overcome the 2-0 deficit Paris Saint-Germain clocked up in the first leg.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate).
I have long been a critic of Kai Havertz and haven’t believed he’s good enough for this Arsenal team. Yesterday proved me wrong. Clever runs, quick passing and a fantastic finish for his goal! Mikel Arteta is working his magic with him.
Ashni in London
Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal
BBC Radio 5 Live
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast about the Gunners' Premier League title chances.
He said: “They’re in with a great chance. You’ve got to take what happened last year on board, use it as experience and then see what happens. Last year was completely different, we were being chased by Man City and had games in hand.
"We had games we should’ve won but we looked nervous. This year we look much more confident. The only problem is there is two other teams involved. It’ll be tough but we’re in great form."
Simon Stone
BBC Sport
UEFA have been pumping out information on their new competition structure for next season, just to remind everyone what is happening.
Boiling it down, the Champions League and Europa League are expanding to 36 teams, with the current group stage being ditched in favour of a 'Swiss style' league table, where clubs play eight games against differing levels of opponents – determined by UEFA's co-efficient table.
It also means an extra two spots are available in the Champions League to the two countries whose teams do the best, on average, across all three European competitions this season.
England are third in the table, behind Italy and Germany.
Bayern Munich losing to Lazio tonight would be to the Premier League's advantage given RB Leipzig are behind from their home leg when they face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tomorrow.
Aston Villa and Tottenham fans in particular, plus Manchester United if Erik ten Hag is to be believed, should pay attention. We could be moving from the battle for 'top four' to trying to make the 'top five'.
Man City 3-1 Man UnitedBBC Radio 5 Live
Pundit Micah Richards has shared his thoughts on Manchester United's performance against Manchester City during the weekend's Premier League action.
"I actually thought they were excellent for the first 60 minutes," Richards told the Monday Night Club. "They were well drilled, had the balance right, picked the times when to go forward and could have scored more with better touches in the right places. But they need to improve on the ball.
"When Manchester City are having 75% of the possession, when you get the ball you are tired, but they have to look after it a little bit better. People talk about style of play and system, but I could see exactly what they were trying to do – a low block, get the ball into midfield, use their runners.
"If they perform like this, and while they are not always going to be so defensive, I thought they did it to a tee. The worry was that after the goal they capitulated a little bit. It became a bit too easy for City."
You can listen to the full version of the Monday Night Club here…
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate).
Regarding SUFC. Terrible club management for three to five years is now being shown on the pitch in the most public and humiliating fashion. Player acquisition has been woeful with net losses on nearly every player purchase made since the 2019 promotion. Player retention has been just as bad, as seen with losing Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge whilst keeping players that weren't even starting last year.
James
Man City 3-1 Man UtdBBC Radio 5 Live
New York Times journalist Rory Smith appeared on the Monday Night Club and also had some thoughts on Manchester United, in particular about manager Erik ten Hag.
"The big thing for me is if Erik ten Hag, who is getting on for two years in this job, had implemented a clear philosophy, a clear identity and visible system that would be one thing," Smith said. "But it feels like a hotchpotch and they're getting through every game. That's not good enough for Manchester United.
"If it was Ten Hag's first season you would forgive it and say it's a work in progress, not a problem. Two years in, there is still no sign of what Ten Hag's United is supposed to look like – other than they're sometimes quite good on the counter attack. I like Ten Hag, I loved his Ajax team, and when they appointed him I thought it was the first time in a long time they had made a cutting edge, forward-thinking appointment. Now I'm surprised if he will be there next season."
Tuesday's gossip column
A couple of Manchester United stories feature prominently in our round up of the latest transfer rumours and football gossip.
Manchester United and Paris St-Germain are emerging as frontrunners to sign Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, this summer.(Independent), external
A number of Manchester United players believe Dutch manager Erik ten Hag will be replaced at the end of the season by new co-owners Ineos.(Mail), external
Newcastle are close to agreeing a new contract with Joelinton, with the 27-year-old Brazil midfielder having little over a year left on his current deal. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Read the full gossip column here…
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have reported a loss of £119.6m in their latest accounts up to 31 May 2023.
The accounts cover a period that saw Villa finish seventh in the Premier League to qualify for Europe.
Villa say the figures are "in line with the strategic business plan" and within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.
PSR rules, introduced in 2015-16, permit losses of up to £105m in a three-year spell.
A statement read: "The owners of Aston Villa remain committed to the long-term and sustainable development of the club, and we look forward to continued progress on the delivery of our strategic plan."
Read the full story here…
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate).
Wow that's a tough group for the Lionesses. Going to have to definitely be at their best, and hopefully minimal injuries.
Paul Atkinson
The women's European Championships qualifier groups have now been confirmed after the draw at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon a little while ago.
Defending champions England will compete against France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers taking place later this year.
You can read the full story here.
The groups in full are as follows:
League A:
A1 – Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Finland
A2 – Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic
A3 – France, England, Sweden, Republic of Ireland
A4 – Germany, Austria, Iceland, Poland
League B:
B1 – Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan
B2 – Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Israel
B3 – Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Malta
B4 – Wales, Croatia, Ukraine, Kosovo
League C:
C1 – Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus, Georgia
C2 – Slovenia, Latvia, North Macedonia, Moldova
C3 – Greece, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands
C4 – Romania, Bulgaria, Kazkahstan, Armenia
C5 – Albania, Estonia, Luxembourg
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)BBC Radio 5 Live
Some interesting thoughts from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and striker Erling Haaland there.
A reminder that we will have live commentary of City v FC Copenhagen in the second leg of their round of 16 tie in the Champions League on BBC Radio 5 Live, and live text commentary on the the BBC Sport website, tomorrow.
Mark Chapman and the team will be building up to the game from 19:00 GMT.
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
Manchester City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on how quickly Erling Haaland settled in at the club: "Erling it was so quick. The guys really embrace the new ones, but the news ones have to do the step depending on who they are. He was smiling. What impressed the most on the pitch was his character. The bigger star they are the more humble they are. I don't know why but it happened at Barcelona. Normally the big ones understand better."
On whether he is worried about complacency against Copenhagen because they are 3-1 up on aggregate: "A concern is always there. Always the warnings are always there. I would prefer to start 3-1 up than 3-1 down. I would like 7-0 up but normally that doesn't happen in the Champions League, especially away.
"We have to perform to qualify for the next round. We could have a red card or a bad decision. It think a good example of what can happen is against Leipzig. Mistakes after 20 minutes meant we conceded two. In football the details make the difference. We just have to prepare well, and the best way to respect the competition of Copenhagen to be our best. This competition you have to perform your best otherwise everything can happen."
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)Manchester City
Haaland was asked about his relationship with FC Copenhagen after training with them in his early career: "I was on a trial with them in 2016, I think a couple of guys at the club wanted me but not all of them so it didn't happen. Sad for them. But maybe good for me as I went to Malta and it was a good choice. I like the club, it is nice club as well."
And on if he was interested in joining FC Copenhagen in 2016: "Yeah I was interested. Obviously was to join the U19s then, I was interested. That is why I went there. I even got a shirt, number nine with Haaland, I think I still have it at home. But my destiny was another way."
Finally he was asked about facing the club tomorrow: "It's a challenge. Look at what they did in the group games, they made it really difficult. I like the challenge, I like the Champions League and meet different teams and go to different countries."
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)Manchester City
Haaland added on his instructions from Pep Guardiola in the team on his build-up play: "I don't want to say too much on this because it is our tactic but I do what he says. I try to get involved when I should. There are a lot of things I can get better at, people say I am good at scoring goals but I missed the biggest chance ever two days ago so I can become better at that."
And on his future at Manchester City amid Real Madrid links: "I am really happy, especially with the people that I am surrounded with. The manager, the directors, the board, they are a group of a people. I am really happy. If I say this now it will probably be a massive headline, you never know what the future brings but I am happy."
He was also asked if he has thought about signing a new City deal: "I focus on the pitch, there is a lot of games. I think I should focus on that."
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)Manchester City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on whether it is harder to win the Champions League now: "Getting better and tougher. I had the feeling when I arrived at Barcelona: 'OK we will arrive in the semi-finals". Now to reach semi-finals is so difficult. Teams are better and managers are better. Everyhing is more difficult than when I was a football player. But at the end the better teams always go through."
On whether it is a bigger achievement to win it with City than Barcelona: "No, I wouldn't say that, otherwise I undermine what we achieved in Barcelona. I am not saying: 'That prize is better than the previous ones'. Every moment is every moment. What I think when I was at Barcelona or Bayern Munich every title you win is different. It's not for granted. Every step you do is so complicated and you need to be there in the right moment."
Manchester City v FC Copenhagen (Wed, 20:00 GMT)Manchester City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on how Copenhagen have impressed him: "The way they defend. They are really well organised. Always I am aware of all of the opposition players, especially for our players and what they have to do. We struggled last season to win there.
"We play a really good team when you consider what happened for them against Manchester United and Galatasaray. How difficult it was for Bayern Munich in Copenhagen. I know perfectly their strengths and qualities perfectly because they have two years in a row with the same manager. They have pace in the transition. But especially what I like a lot they way they defend and are compact."
Watch the news conference live by clicking play at the top of the page.
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