#now imagine him winning the title in the last match of 2023 ;)

[jasvvy]

RICKY WINNING THE FIRST MATCH OF 2023

[thommi-tomate]

Interview with Sepp Maier

By:Sport1

Mr. Maier, how do you look back on the football year 2023?

With a lot of emotion. It started with Manuel Neuer's serious injury, which he sustained on his skiing vacation. That was a shock, of course. But one thing is clear: Manu never took too many risks. I never doubted Manu's comeback afterwards. He's such a great goalkeeper, he just had to come back. Of course, it was sad when FC Bayern parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann. It came as a surprise, but perhaps it was unavoidable. Overall, it wasn't FC Bayern's year.

The Munich team also said goodbye to leading personalities prematurely. Looking back, how do you view the departure of Hasan Salihamidžić and Oliver Kahn?

Of course, that was a big personnel shake-up. Brazzo tore himself apart for FC Bayern, I'm sure of that. And maybe Olli didn't fit into the manager's chair. He certainly gave his all for the club, because he has a deep red Bayern heart. The way Uli settled accounts with Olli afterwards was certainly not good. That was Uli at his best again.

What was your personal highlight?

Manu's return in the home game against Darmstadt 98 is clear. I never understood the whole drama, nor why other goalkeepers were traded in the first place. And my opinion of Yann Sommer is well known: I would never have signed him. I'm happy for him that he's now performing so well again at Inter Milan. But Sommer wasn't one for FC Bayern. A small highlight was certainly the double contract extension of Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich recently. FC Bayern showed its old strength. That was a great move.

For the first time in many years, FC Bayern is not first at the end of the year, but sees Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the table. How much does that make your Bayern heart ache?

That hurts a bit - and it's also really unusual. But it has to be acknowledged without envy that Leverkusen deserve it. They have set a new record with 25 unbeaten competitive matches across all competitions, which is quite a remarkable run. Xabi Alonso would be a great coach for FC Bayern, he's doing an excellent job at Leverkusen. The way football is played there makes every fan click their tongue. It's unparalleled even in Europe. And honestly? I wouldn't have put it past Alonso.

Will Leverkusen even become German champions in the end?

I still believe that Bayern will be champions again in the end, but it hasn't been as difficult as this season for a long time. Thomas Tuchel must get the players back on track immediately in the new year. Bayern must not weaken for a single minute. Otherwise that's it for the title. But there are also quite a few people who would begrudge Bayer Leverkusen the title. If only because of Alonso. That would also put an end to this stupid "Vizekusen" (second-kusen or also his english equivalent neverkusen)

Thomas Müller has extended his contract with FC Bayern until 2025 ahead of the last game of the year. It wasn't a complete surprise, how did you take it?

With great joy. But I also firmly assumed that Thomas would stay, he's simply a Bayern legend. Müller is such a good guy and a really good player. The way he performs on and off the pitch is wonderful and I pay him a lot of respect for that. Müller hasn't always had it easy with Tuchel, but he's taken it professionally. I'm sure Tuchel also liked his attitude. Thomas Müller lives and breathes FC Bayern. The interview after the 3-0 win against VfB Stuttgart was 100 percent Müller. He was funny and totally clear with what he said. You can't imagine him at any other club anyway. Like with me back then.

Is Müller the Gerd Müller of today?

Absolutely. Thomas Müller is the Gerd Müller of modern times. There's nothing more to say. Gerd would be proud that Thomas has extended his contract again.

What makes Müller so unique?

His professionalism and his authentic and funny manner. I can only repeat myself: he's just a really good guy and a great footballer.

But Müller will probably replace you as the record player - does that annoy you?

Not at all. I'd rather have Thomas than someone from BVB (laughs). It will happen and he is a worthy successor. I wish him all the best. He will have earned it.

Harry Kane has scored 21 goals in 15 league games. An incredible rate, isn't it?

Absolutely. In the summer, you could assume that things would work out with him and Bayern, but his performance is already exceptionally good. There are almost no words. The special thing about Kane is that he also works for others and shows how much he has already internalized FC Bayern. He's good for the Bundesliga. Kane is clearly more valuable than Lewandowski.

Finally, let's take a look ahead to next year's European Championship at home. What are your thoughts on the tournament?

I have mixed feelings about the home European Championships. Of course it's something very special. And it will be a very important tournament, especially for Julian Nagelsmann. He can win everything, but he can also lose everything. One thing is clear: the team must improve. We won't get through the preliminary round with performances like the recent ones against Turkey and Austria. Then we'll fail badly, but I'm thinking positively. The closer we get to the European Championship, the more euphoria there will be in Germany. It will be similar to 2006.

Julian Nagelsmann recently hinted in the ZDF sports studio that he could imagine bringing Toni Kroos back to the national team. What is your opinion?

I wouldn't bring Kroos back. I don't think it's good for him to play for the national team again. He's had his time. We have many other talented players in his position who can help the team. It's a popular topic for the media, but I wouldn't call Kroos up again. That doesn't mean he's not a great player and hasn't done anything for German football.

Meanwhile, Marc-André ter Stegen is fighting for the number one spot in the German national team, but is currently injured. Who will be in goal for Germany at the European Championships?

Manuel Neuer. Ter Stegen is a very good goalkeeper, but Manu is on the way to his old form, so there is no doubt who will be number 1 at the European Championship in Germany.

Final question: After 17 months of proceedings, the European Court of Justice has given the green light for the establishment of the Super League. Are you pleased about this?

Of course not. Nobody needs the Super League, there is already the Champions League for the big clubs, many national leagues and then the Nations League. The Super League will turn football into a two-tier society. I see that with great concern.

[otsukare-katsukare]

my current job has me doing a lot of standing/walking around a museum with little to do but think, so i've been trying to fantasy book a final feud for sami and kevin. context being the build to kevin's hypothetical retirement, where his final match will be with sami of course (barring his inevitable returns to the ring as a hall of famer to put over rising talent). i was trying to think how you could make a feud work with them one last time without it just seeming like turning back the clock. cause while they have fought on and off since kevin's wwe debut, they never fully figured out their shit until this year, and now their bond feels sure, not vulnerable to betrayal the way it has been in the past. i ended up imagining the most self indulgent wish fulfilment scenario possible culminating in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the universal title which sami wins off a heel-turned kevin. warning it's so so cheesy. and way too many things at once. ahem,

the build starts with universal champion!kevin unhappy and lashing out, because despite having the world title he knows he's near the end, and he has no one in his corner on smackdown (they kind of have to be on separate brands and have been growing apart again for this to work). it's almost as hollow as his first universal title reign, and his charming sarcasm has curdled into ugly bitterness.

then sami comes out of the woodwork on Raw, titleless but still doing very well as one of the top babyfaces, still optimistic despite everything. and maybe he hasn't been calling kevin or getting coffee with him as much as they used to. he's just so busy lately! but now kevin's going back to his old ways and he has to try and talk him down. it goes about as well as you'd expect, kevin starting off cordial and warm before the resentment quickly bubbles up and he starts slinging lower blows than he has in years, specifically at sami once again proving unable to keep up with him as a champion-level competitor. kevin wasn't even trying to get in the world title picture until recently, he practically took it in his sleep! how long's sami been vainly trying to snag the WHC? what about that historic anti climax at elimination chamber 2023? (NB kevin doesn't get the title off roman in my mind but im not booking that far back) face it, he snarls to a dismayed-but-sadly-not-that-surprised sami, the only meaningful gold he was ever getting was with kevin by his side.

he basically forces sami to challenge him for that universal title, pushing his buttons every way he can. sami's pretty reluctant at first, not wanting to fall for kevin's mind games all over again, and really thinking they were past this shit. but unfortunately he's sami and one thing about sami is he falls in the trap even when he knows it's a trap, and he just cannot resist such a blatant challenge. it's cesaro, neville, strowman, roman, everyone who's told him to his face he'll never be that guy and to just stay down. and, well, after their first match up in a long while, his age old obsessions with proving those guys wrong and with fighting kevin owens forever take over, and they're all set for wrestlemania. (or summerslam. i'm not too proud)

it's 2 out of 3 falls because that kind of feels like the perfect way to cap it all off, the format that put sami zayn on the map in the first place, and the one that lets kevin owens Fucking Finally do his package piledriver into a successful pin without giving him the match. here my novice understanding of good match planning comes up short. they would come up with something extremely brilliant and heartbreaking, but my thinking was the pin order goes sami-kevin-sami - with the first pin coming quite a way into the match, and the second quick on its heels. they'll do all their favourite callbacks except battleground cause that one has been overdone by this point even if it is the most poetic one. it's visceral and violent but also kind of joyous. and very melancholic. fully them, basically.

the emotional arc is focused a little more on kevin, who is tired and angry and consciously trying to embody the monster he always used to be against sami, hardening himself up. there's one moment towards the end where sami's down, the ref's incapacitated and kevin gets a chair, face full of murderous intent until he actually gets to sami, where he just stops. doesn't even seem to have an internal conflict about hitting him with it, just stands there, waits for sami to notice him and flinch back, and then waits some more, locking eyes with sami in a silent conversation while he gets back to his feet, before tossing the chair aside and punching him in the head. (cue their beloved #1 single, Hockey Punches of Love.)

sami wins the world title at long last, and everything is beautiful. any apparent hatred that was fuelling this match evaporates the milisecond it ends. because it was never really about kevin not believing in him, but kevin wanting more than anything for sami to get the official recognition he deserves, and wanting no one else to take the title off him, knowing how to play the game (both the in-universe manipulation and his characteristic genre awareness), and above all, kevin wanting to fight his best friend one last time. he tries to let sami have the moment to himself, dragging himself to the corner of the ring too exhausted to even stand, but sami won't have it, not after what they just did, not after their last match. they hug the life out of each other, and cut a couple of very emotional promos on each other that probably come directly from their real actual hearts so I wouldn't try and script them here.

that's all i have. i'd be interested to know what the twc thinks re: these two in another feud/if they should even have one!

[thef1nalb0ss]

Faction Rankings: Week of December 4, 2023- December 10, 2023

Just a little late. Let's go.

10. The Bloodline

Roman is finally back this week. Hopefully we get some progression on...anything, really in The Bloodline story.

Anyway, Jimmy and Solo lost to LA and Randy last week, so I can't imagine Roman's too happy about that either. Punk is also mentioning Roman now, but by the time Smackdown comes around, we'll know what brand Punk is on. If it's Raw, Roman's safe from him at least. Which isn't much, considering both LA and Randy want a shot at the title, but it's one less person he has to deal with at least.

9. Imperium

Kaiser and Vinci lost to DIY. Afterwards, Gunther was backstage giving Kaiser some friendly advice in the form of yelling at him.

Maybe it wasn't so friendly. Or maybe it wasn't advice. He was yelling at Kaiser, basically.

In other news, there is currently not a number 1 contender for the IC title, so Gunther's reign will contiune until at least his next challenger is decided and the match takes place. For now, he has time to deal with Kaiser and Vinci.

8. Meta-Four

Between a six-peron tag match and Lash being in the Iron Survivor Challenge, they went 0-2 last week. Lash did get 2 points, which, as Oro pointed out last week, is double what Fallon got. Oro pointing that out is also why they have another six-person tag match this week against Josh, Brooks, and Fallon.

7. The Judgement Day

Just a lot of bad for them this week. First, the number 1 contenders to the Tag Team Titles The Creed Brothers won against Dom and JD, and then Dom lost the North American Championship to Dragon Lee.

At least JD isn't alone in being part of Judgement Day but not being a champion now?

6. Briggs, Jensen, and Henley

Fallon qualified for the Iron Survivor Challenge in the last chance match, but neither she nor Josh won. After being Josh yelled at Brooks and then apologized, they were insulted by Meta-Four. Because of that, they have a six-person tag match this week against them.

5. Alpha Academy

They won against Meta-Four in a six-person tag match. This week, Maxxine has a non-title match against Rhea.

4. The Way

DIY won a two out of three falls match against Imperium after losing the first fall. Technically, there are no number 1 contenders to the Women's Tag Team Championships right now, although Kayden and Katana recently won against Tegan and Natalya, so maybe Indi and Candice can get another chance for a Tag Team Title match.

3. The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley

Bobby advanced in the United States Championship Tournament. In the semifinals, he'll face Santos.

2. Diamond Mine

They are the number 1 contenders for Finn and Damian's Tag Team Title, but this week they took on Dom and JD, in a match they won.. Damian wasn't ringside, and Finn and Rhea weren't there that night, leaving The Judgement Day without their usual numbers advantage.

1. Damage CTRL

For Asuka's match against Charlotte, they once against told Bayley to stay in the back. However, Iyo and Kairi were attacked during their entrance by Mia, Zelina, Bianca, and Shotzi, leaving Asuka alone. That is, until Bayley came to ringside to distract Charlotte, leading to Asuka getting the win.

[anthonysstupiddailyblog]

Anthony’s Stupid Daily Blog (466): Mon 26th Jun 2023

Unlike yesterday where I was on shitty stow for the entire day, today I immediately got pulled aside and sent straight down to shipping. I could have French kissed this guys penis right then and there because I’m now at the stage where doing any amour of stowing just fucks with my head. Although I’m happy that I’m apparently getting moved to shipping full time I imagine that I will occasionally have to go back on stow when they’re low on staff. For six weeks last Christmas I did no stowing at all as I was needed on pack so I imagine that when Christmas comes around this year (assuming the Russians haven’t taken over and replace Christmas with whatever their version of Christmas is…Putinmas I imagine) I will be sent from shipping to pack once again but that’s fine with me since pack and shipping are my two favourite processes. To be honest I’m surprised that they haven’t moved me from stow to another process already since my rates on pack are always significantly higher than my rates on stow. It makes me think back to school where they kept badgering me about focusing on my English, Maths and Science and I kept on pointing out to them that I was only on track to get a D- in all three of these subjects but in Food Technology I was on track to getting a D+ so why not just let me focus all my energy on that? They didn’t bite…and I ended up getting an F in all four subjects anyway.

I had to avoid the internet all day so I wouldn’t have the results from Forbidden Door spoiled but it was worth it because AEW and New Japan put on a hell of a show last night. I never thought I’d say it. It MJF really carried Tanahashi in their title match. Tanners is really starting to show his age and the extent of the injuries to his knees since MJF had to slow down to accommodate The Ace and at certain points had to make himself look bad by selling for moves that Tanners could only put half of his energy into. Unless Tanahashi takes some time off to get his knees looked at then I’m afraid to say don’t think he’s ping for the squared circle.  Punk vs Kojima was really entertaining and Punk did a good job of playing up to the hostile crowd. I think he’s accepted that certain people are just going to see him as the bad guy and rather than just ignore it like Cena and Roman Reigns he’s just going to go with it which I think is the right move. Sanada vs Jungle Boy Jack Perry was entertaining enough burnout still looked out of place to have an upper midcarder just be rewarded with a title shot because he was the first to public ally accept an open challenge (even if it was clear he wasn’t going to win the belt). Luckily though it all worked out for Jack as they had him turn on Hook after the match solidifying his heel turn. I think this was definitely the best move as his character has felt stale for a while and there has definitely an audible fan backlash for a while now so I think it was for the best to have him embrace the hate and go a different direction with his character. This will be the true test of whether he truly benefited from the tutelage of Christian Cage. The Elite vs BCC ten man tag match was great with plenty of drama although it looks like the feud between these two factions is still going to continue which is starting to make my dick itch because this feud should have ended a while back…in fact I dare say the BcC should have ended a while back because Regal isn’t even there anymore. Ospreay vs Kenny Omega (who I’ve recently realized is the spot of British comedian Seann Walsh) was amazing. Fully deserving of the seventeen stars Meltzer is inevitably going to award it. I especially liked the ending of Callis helping Ospreay win because it gives Ospreay some added heat for when he returns to Japan and also helps set up the Omega vs Takeshita feud. Sting, Darby and Naito vs Jericho, Guevara and Suzuki was predictably disappointing. Naito has been Randy Ortoning it for a few years now and I wouldn’t be surprised if he called it quits before long. Sting messed up a few spots and as much as it pains me to say it I think it’s a good think he’s hanging it up this year. When he first came to AEW I enjoyed it because although he could only do the basics he could still bump but now he can’t even do that anymore. Finally Okada vs Bryan Danielson was everything longtime fans of both athletes were hoping it would be and more. Some great technical mat work, lots of close calls with both almost hitting their finish and both men going out of their way to make the other look good. Sadly it looks like Danielson suffered a broken arm in this match but he managed to finish the match because of course he did and it looks like he’ll only be out for a few weeks.

[thisdaynews]

David de Gea: Manchester United goalkeeper signs new deal at Old Trafford

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/david-de-gea-manchester-united-goalkeeper-signs-new-deal-at-old-trafford/

David de Gea: Manchester United goalkeeper signs new deal at Old Trafford

David de Gea, pictured with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has signed a new contract to stay with the club until 2023.

De Gea, 28, has made 367 United appearances since Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the club from Atletico Madrid in an £18.9m deal in June 2011.

“Now my future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve what I believe we can and win trophies again, together,” said the Spaniard.

“It has been a privilege to spend eight years at this great club.”

De Gea, capped 40 times by Spain, helped United win the Premier League title in 2012-13, the FA Cup three seasons later and both the League Cup and the Europa League in 2016-17.

The Spaniard, who has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent seasons, was in the last year of his contract and would have been able to open talks with clubs outside England over a possible move in January.

He came close to joining Real in a £29m move in September 2015, but the deal collapsed because the necessary paperwork was not submitted in time on the final day of the transfer window.

United and De Gea were in negotiations for more than two years over the new deal with the club making an improved offer in July.

“The opportunity to continue my career at Manchester United is a genuine honour,” said De Gea, who has the option to extend the contract for a further season.

“Since I arrived here, I could never have imagined I would play over 350 games for this club.

“I still feel I have so much more to achieve at the club and I truly believe that Manchester United can build on the club’s tradition of success and reward our fans for their support.

“I am committed to continue repaying the fans for all of the care that they’ve shown me during the good times and the bad.”

De Gea has kept two clean sheets in five Premier League matches this season – against Chelsea in the opening game and versus Leicester on Saturday

De Gea has played in all five of United’s Premier League games in 2019-20 with the club fourth, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I am delighted that David has committed his long-term future to the club.

“Over recent years, David has proved himself to be the best in the world and a vital part of our plans as we look to take Manchester United back to where it belongs.”

The Norwegian added that De Gea “represents everything you want in a goalkeeper”.

Read More

[gadgetsrevv]

David de Gea: Manchester United goalkeeper signs new deal at Old Trafford

David de Gea, pictured with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has signed a new contract to stay with the club until 2023.

De Gea, 28, has made 367 United appearances since Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the club from Atletico Madrid in an £18.9m deal in June 2011.

“Now my future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve what I believe we can and win trophies again, together,” said the Spaniard.

“It has been a privilege to spend eight years at this great club.”

De Gea, capped 40 times by Spain, helped United win the Premier League title in 2012-13, the FA Cup three seasons later and both the League Cup and the Europa League in 2016-17.

The Spaniard, who has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent seasons, was in the last year of his contract and would have been able to open talks with clubs outside England over a possible move in January.

He came close to joining Real in a £29m move in September 2015, but the deal collapsed because the necessary paperwork was not submitted in time on the final day of the transfer window.

United and De Gea were in negotiations for more than two years over the new deal with the club making an improved offer in July.

“The opportunity to continue my career at Manchester United is a genuine honour,” said De Gea, who has the option to extend the contract for a further season.

“Since I arrived here, I could never have imagined I would play over 350 games for this club.

“I still feel I have so much more to achieve at the club and I truly believe that Manchester United can build on the club’s tradition of success and reward our fans for their support.

“I am committed to continue repaying the fans for all of the care that they’ve shown me during the good times and the bad.”

De Gea has kept two clean sheets in five Premier League matches this season – against Chelsea in the opening game and versus Leicester on Saturday

De Gea has played in all five of United’s Premier League games in 2019-20 with the club fourth, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I am delighted that David has committed his long-term future to the club.

“Over recent years, David has proved himself to be the best in the world and a vital part of our plans as we look to take Manchester United back to where it belongs.”

The Norwegian added that De Gea “represents everything you want in a goalkeeper”.

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[torentialtribute]

Messi can play until he’s 45, claims Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu

After asking the president of Barcelona Barcelona if the newly-renovated Camp Nou will have a Lionel Messi statue, the answer that comes back encapsulates the mood around the club after the midweek win over Liverpool.

"No, it will have 10!" Says Josep Bartomeu laughing. "We've got one of Ladislao Kubala. We're working on one or Johan Cruyff. And the day that Messi retires – well, I won't be president because he'll outlast me. He has so much football still to give. ”

No one at the club wants to contemplate Messi's retirement and even more so as Barca's president sits down with The Mail on Sunday 24 hours after the Argentine's dismantling of Liverpool.

Lionel Messi is mobbed by his teammates after a stunning individual display against Liverpool

Josep Bartomeu believes the talisman who destroyed the Reds has more to give for the club

"I still think it's a long way off," says Bartomeu. "He’s only 31. Look at the power in that free kick. He's a long way out and that ball really flies. He's stronger than ever. "

Barcelona are due to start rebuilding the Camp Well in the summer of 2020.

" That will be flattened, "says Bartomeu as he looks out of his office window at the clubs Mini Estadi across the road.

It has hosted Barcelona B team matches since 1982. It will be replaced by a new arena for the clubs basketball, handball, roller hockey and indoor football teams. In total, the renovation work could end up totaling £ 510million.

Everything should be finished by 2023. That sounds like the perfect distraction for fans trying not to think about Messi's retirement – he'll be 35.

"Well that's you saying that, not me," Bartomeu says still beaming. "I hope Leo plays on until he's 45! I don't know what he wants to do but it would be fantastic to have him in the team when we inaugurate the new stadium. "

(LR) Naby Keita, Fabinho, James Milner and Virgil van Dijk try to shackle the Argentina star

Messi waves to the Nou Camp crowd after scoring his second goa l against the Reds

He knows he's hit the jackpot presiding over the club in the era of its greatest ever player.

'Presidents from other teams, when they come to the Camp Well the first thing they say is, "Is Messi going to play today?" They support their teams but they love football and want to see him, "he says.

There will have been disappointment in the Celta Vigo directors' box on Saturday night with Messi rested ahead of Tuesday's second leg at Anfield.

His two goals against Liverpool leave him 90 minutes from his fourth Champions League final in 10 years. He has lit up the competition that most football is the greatest in the game.

Bartomeu says he's a Champions League fan. "It's" la leche! "," He says, using that strange Spanish idiom that translates literally as "It's the milk!" But means something like "It's the business!"

But he sits on the executive board of the European Clubs Association, playing a part in talks to shape the next wave of changes that will take effect in 2024. So why change the Champions League when it is such a spectacular success?

Messi has led Barcelona to La Liga title and they look set to reach the Champions League final

"Because we are going to change it for the better," comes the reply. "Nothing is perfect. The process of improving something never stops. "

Will this mean a closed European Super League with permanent members on historical name, not merit, and matches played at weekends? Bartomeu allays some of those fears, others less so.

"Barcelona has already said openly that we are against matches being played at weekends," he says. "We have a very strong league and we enjoy playing in it."

On the subject of a meritocracy there are mixed messages.

"We should remember that Barcelona's basketball team is in the Euroleague because we have a permanent position in it by contract. We did this in basketball many years ago. But right now it's not on the table to make a closed Champions League. Until 2024 it will continue to be the same. "

And if that sounds like the change is coming, he adds:" Barcelona does not support a Super League and UEFA know that. "

"I still think (retirement) is a long way off … look at the power in that free kick," says Bartomeu

He says what supporters because more European fixtures are. "It was 11 years since we played against Manchester United in the Camp Nou. With Liverpool we haven't played them since 2006. That shouldn't be normal. "

Quite the more games can be fitted in without the Champions League and domestic calendars don't seem to be up for explanation just yet.

'I'm not going to get into details because it's not down to me to do that but it will be a lot more attractive to fans from 2024. You will like it.' But what if we don't? This season's tournament does seem to have topped most before it, in terms of excitement. And is there another twist coming this week in the second leg at Anfield?

"There's no euphoria here," says the Barcelona president. "When we scored the second goal we weren't playing our best football and we were under huge pressure from Liverpool."

Messi's intervention changed everything, as it so often has over the last decade. As he prepares for another semi-final in England, it is worth recalling the times he was linked with a move here.

Bartomeu sat down to discuss all things Barcelona with Sportsmail's PETE JENSON

" No, no, it has not been hard, "says Bartomeu convincingly when asked if it has been difficult to keep him.

" What matters is that we have been able to have good players and coaches with the same very clearly defined philosophy.

'Whoever is the coach, it's the same way of playing so Messi feels very comfortable here. Why would he change it for another club with a different concept of football, why would he go elsewhere? "

That suggests no matter how much Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain offered, Messi would never have left. Does Bartomeu still fear the threat of football's nation-state funded clubs? "It's not a threat, it's a reality," he says. "They have unlimited resources."

After losing Neymar to PSG in 2018 does Uefa's Financial Fair Play enforcement still have faith?

When PSG signed Neymar they wrecked Barcelona's plan for him to be the post-Messi project

" The regulation works, I imagine, he says cryptically. "The other day I saw that PSG had some issue and because of an irregularity in the manner (or bringing the complaint against them), it didn't succeed.

" But I have a lot of faith in UEFA and in the football authorities. There are English clubs who have the feeling that City don't act the way they should but I have ghosts to them about this and they say the same – if the Premier League and the Champions League don't find anything, then we have no reason to be worried. "

When PSG signed Neymar they wrecked Barcelona's plan for the Brazilian to be the ultimate post-Messi project.

" He had the chance to be the No 1 when Messi went, "says Bartomeu. "It never worked out that way and we got a lot of money and we invested in two players, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele."

Neymar moved to escape Messi's shadow and win the Balon d’Or. As things stand, that prize is shaping up to be Messi's once more.

"This year I wouldn't give him the Balon d 'Or," jokes Bartomeu. "He's beyond that now. He’s in a category of his own. For years now he's just been competing against himself. There are other great players but they are in another dimension. "

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[latestnews2018-blog]

Guardiola warns City players not to rest on their laurels

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Guardiola warns City players not to rest on their laurels

London: Pep Guardiola has assured his returning Manchester City players that he will be even “harder” with them this season as he attempts to become the first manager in a decade to win back-to-back Premier League titles.

After an exhausting summer, many of his record-breaking players have yet to return to peak match-fitness, with Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling not due to return to training until Monday following their World Cup exploits.

They and their teammates can expect to find their demanding Catalan manager seeking even more from them as he looks to duplicate his experience in Spain and Germany where, in each case, he won three consecutive league titles, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“I’ve had the situation in Barca and Bayern and we were able to repeat it and win back to back,” said Guardiola as he prepared for Sunday’s Community Shield meeting with Chelsea. “Maybe here it’s more complicated because of the contenders. All the teams are good. Imagine at the start of last season, saying we are going to make 100 points. So it’s the same situation — at my first press conference, saying we’re going to make 100 points — impossible.

“With perspective, we’ll realise how good last season was but you have to have the target. I don’t know what hunger we have. We will see. I don’t have an answer for that but I’ll try to repeat what we have done in Barca and Bayern, to be harder with my players.”

Complacency was certainly never an issue with his players last season, even with the title all but guaranteed with months remaining. City went on to set new Premier League marks for most points, greatest margin of victory, most wins and most goals.

And Guardiola, who opens the season at Arsenal next weekend, has made it clear he will not tolerate his players resting on their laurels. “If they think after they have won, ‘OK, I’m really good!’ then that is the moment we start to go down,” said Guardiola. “So you have to be clear with them.

“I don’t think too much about next week or February or January, something like that. Now it’s to prepare for the Community Shield. After we will see if we’re able to win back to back.”

Guardiola’s opening game pits him against new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.

“We are going to improve because of his ideas,” said Guardiola of Sarri’s arrival. “I’ve seen three games and he gets it. The team already, in a short time, plays like he wants. Chelsea will be a big rival, they always are. He will be perfect for English football.”

Guardiola goes into Sunday buoyed by the announcement yesterday that Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, 21, has signed a new contract that will keep him with the club until 2023. “Gabriel has improved a lot since he came — his courage, his fight, every effort for the team,” he said. “I’ve never met a striker who fights like him for the team.”

City have not had such plain sailing in the case of another Brazilian, Douglas Luiz, who was signed 12 months ago but was loaned to Girona last season. Guardiola is keen to have the 20-year-old midfielder in his squad this season, but City are bogged down in the process of gaining a work permit for him.

[thef1nalb0ss]

Faction Rankings: Week of October 23, 2023- October 29, 2023

Last full week of October and we're getting close to the end of the year. The end of year tally is gonna be both interesting and also a lot of work.

Anyway, on to this week's rankings.

10. LWO

Santos and Rey were supposed to face The Street Profits, but Carlito went in Rey's spot. They ended up losing after a distraction by Logan, who attacked Rey backstage.

9. Diamond Mine

During week 1 of Halloween Havoc, they demanded a match against Angel and Humberto this week. Shotzi and Scarlett turned it into a spin the wheel match, and it became a TLS match after Ivy's spin.

8. The Bloodline

Solo now has a Cena match at Crown Jewel. Jimmy lost to LA. Roman is apparently not booked for Survivor Series. So yeah.

7. Damage CTRL

Bianca returned and said that not only does she have a championship match with Iyo at Crown Jewel, but she has a match against Bayley this week as well.

6. The Way

We're seeing two different teams here of The Way split and independent of each other, with Johnny teaming with Ciampa against and Candice with Indi. Not sure where Dexter is. Regardless, Johnny won against Vinci last week, while Indi took a loss in her NXT Women's Championship match. Raw this week is the night before Halloween, so I really hope Dexter is back for that.

5. Imperium

As mentioned, Vinci lost to Johnny. Of course, since Gunther told Kaiser that Vinci is his responsibility, him losing means that Gunther probably isn't happy with either of them. They'll get another chance in a tag match against Johnny and Ciampa this week.

4. New Day

They picked up a win against Alpha Academy. Tag Team Champion Damian and Finn have only defended in a rematch against Cody and Jey so far, so hopefully they start having regular title matches. The Raw tag division is pretty big, and I imagine New Day will be asking for a title match soon.

3. The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley

The Street Profits had a match with Santos and Carlito after their backstage attack a couple weeks ago. Near the end of the match, Rey was attacked backstage and Carlito left to go help, making it 2 v 1 that The Profits won.

2. The Judgement Day

Another role call:

Rhea has a 5-way match for her title at Crown Jewel, against Raquel, Nia, Shayna, and Zoey.

Damian now has a Crown Jewel match against Cody, and after that match was made, there was a brawl that ended with JD helping Damian crush Cody's foot in a chair. Damian also had a match against Jey last week, which he won.

Finn is still trying to get JD in, as evidenced by said JD helping Damian crush Cody's foot with a chair.

Dom has a match with Ricochet this week after a fight between the two that also included Logan Paul. Dom also has a title defense against Nathan on Tuesday.

That concludes The Judgement Day roundup for the week.

1. Chase U

For the first time, Chase U has a champion. And not only do they have a champion, they have two! Andre and Duke won the tag titles from The Family, after Jacy tried to give Andre a crowbar that he rejected. They won after Tony was distracted after he accidentally threw Jacy off the apron. Thea and Jacy also have a chance to get tag gold this week, as they have a Women's Tag Title match at night two of Halloween Havoc.

[thef1nalb0ss]

Faction Rankings: Week of September 25, 2023- October 1, 2023

10. The O.C.

With Luke injured and AJ taken out by The Bloodline last week, Mia and Karl are the only two still standing. After Karl was defeated by Jimmy and then spiked by Solo, though, it's just Mia. But Mia slapped Jimmy, so at least there's that.

9. OTM

They lost in the 4-way for the Tag Titles at No Mercy after a win against Hank and Tank on Tuesday. Even with the loss, a PPV PLE match for Bronco and Lucien so soon after debuting is a big accomplishment.

8. Damage CTRL

Bayley lost to Charlotte, and then after Asuka came to the ring and cut a promo in Japanese, Bayley said that if her and Charlotte wanted a triple threat for the WWE Women's Championship at Fastlane, they got it. Iyo wasn't thrilled about that, nor do I believe that's what Asuka said.

7. Imperium

It was Kaiser's turn for a match against Ciampa after Vinci's loss to him, and Kaiser also wasn't able to defeat Ciampa. Because of this, there's a contract signing this week between Ciampa and Gunther. No word yet on when that match will happen.

6. The Bloodline

What do I talk about this week...Jimmy defeated Karl. Then him and Solo went around destroying everybody backstage. Then Cena showed up and said he'd still have the match at Fastlane even without a partner, it looked like a repeat of last week with the Cena beatdown, then LA showed up to make the save and sign the contract to be Cena's partner.

Roman should be back soon. Maybe.

5. The Viking Raiders

Drew beat Kofi after Ivar beat down Xavier as a distraction, then Ivar took out Kofi too as Drew just watched.

4. The Judgement Day

The week started off okay, minus some tension regarding JD's involvement and the contiuned absence of Rhea. Damian and Finn retained against Sami and Kevin, and Dom retained against Dragon. Then at No Mercy, as Dom defended against Trick, he lost the North American Championship. Nobody from Judgement Day was there during that defense. I can't imagine Rhea's going to be too happy with what has transpired while she's been out.

3. LWO

Santos and Rey had their friendly match for the United States Championship, in which Rey retained. Afterwards, they were attacked by The Street Profits and Lashley. In response, the LWO challenged them to a match at Fastlane. I'm not sure what three of the LWO are going to be involved in that match.

2. The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley

After what looked like a break-up two weeks ago, Bobby told The Street Profits that they had to prove themselves if they wanted back in. After Rey's successful United State Title defense, they launched an attack on the LWO, and seems like they're back together now. The LWO then challenged them to a six-man tag match at Fastlane.

1. Meta-Four

It took six people and some usual heel tactics for Noam to retain his Hertiage Cup against Butch at No Mercy. The match went all six rounds, and ended at 2-1 after Noam got a pin on Butch after an attack by Gallus.

[thef1nalb0ss]

Faction Rankings: Week of September 4, 2023- September 10, 2023

He's not in a faction so I can't mention it in the rankings, but shoutout to Miz for the Invisible John Cena segment last week.

10. The O.C.

Typically, a win, especially one against one half of the longest reigning Tag Team Championships like AJ got last week against Jimmy, would be great. However, it came on the heels of AJ telling The Good Brothers and Mia that he didn't want him anywhere near his match after he slapped Karl's phone out of his hands. That stemmed from them not helping him when he got attacked by Jimmy backstage, but to be completely fair, that was something AJ started by threatening Paul. It remains to be seen if this was a breakup or just a temporary argument that will be resolved soon.

9. LWO

No appearance this week. Gives them time to celebrate Rey's successful title defense at Payback at least.

8. The Bloodline

Again, I'm not really sure how to write about The Bloodline anymore. Jimmy wants back in it seems. Not sure why since he was calling Roman corrupt a month ago. These are all points I made in the last ranking. He lost to AJ though, so maybe he won't be getting back in. No sign of Roman or mention of when we'll see him again.

Really the only reason The Bloodline is consistently in the top 10 is I take into account championships held in the faction, so it's rare that a faction with a champion isn't ranked. Roman's record breaking reign is kinda the only reason keeping them afloat, but even that seems like a loss when said champion is never around.

7. Meta-Four

Unsurprisingly, Oro lost to Ilja. That's not a slight to Oro, just indicative of how good Ilja is (to the point where I'm really having trouble figuring out why he hasn't been called up yet if he isn't winning the title pretty soon). Noam's next defense is approaching, with Joe Coffey currently in the lead in the Global Hertiage Invitational.

6. Damage CTRL

Iyo's next defense is set. After her and Bayley lost to Shotzi and Charlotte after Asuka took the title from Dakota at ringside, causing a distraction, her and Iyo had a staredown. Later, Iyo said she wanted Asuka in a match for the title, and that's been scheduled for next week. I can't imagine Charlotte is gonna be too happy about that...

5. The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley

After The Judgement Day won against The Brawling Brutes, The Street Profits and Bobby confronted them. Bobby said that Judgement Day thinks they're going to be the next Bloodline, but in reality, it's going to be him and The Street Profits taking over.

4. The Viking Raiders

They got the win against Drew and Matt after Kofi hit Drew on accident.

3. Gallus

Again, I usually don't count Main Event/Lvl Up, but I count the matches that are part of tournaments on the shows I do count. Joe won against Tozawa as part of the Global Hertiage Invitational, putting him at 2-0 in the tournament. At 4 points, he's currently in the lead, with Butch just behind him at 3 points.

2. The Judgement Day

JD may finally be getting in the good graces of The Judgement Day. After giving Damian a custom purple Money in the Bank briefcase, he won against Sami, with some help from Dominik. Damian and Finn also won against The Brawling Brutes on Smackdown. Dominik refereed a match between Dragon and Ali to determine the next challenger for the North American Championship, which was won by Ali after a fast count by Dominik. It seems that Dominik decided who he wanted to face next. We'll see if he ends up regretting that decision.

Rhea, on the other hand, will defend against Raquel this week, with Dominik barred from ringside. In addition to that, she seems a bit...off. She was quiet and seemingly distracted in a backstage segment where she told Dominik to make sure JD won against Sami. Perhaps it has something to do with her upcoming defense?

1. Imperium

Gunther successfully defended against Chad in the main event of Raw last week. With that successful defense, he is now the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion ever.