“There are a lot of games to play” – Pep Guardiola … — and more

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola maintains there is a lot to fight for in the title race despite his side losing further ground to Arsenal on Wednesday night.

City’s winning run came to an end at six games across all competitions as two moments of brilliance from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson rescued a 2-2 draw for Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal, on the other hand, picked up their third Premier League win in a row courtesy of an early Bukayo Saka strike against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The Gunners stand seven points clear of City and despite playing an extra game, Mikel Arteta and co are firmly in the driving seat in the title race and will be confident of winning a first Premier League title in 22 years for Arsenal.

Where do City’s title chances stand after drawing to Forest?

Manchester City made a poor start to 2026 that saw doubts circle over their silverware prospects in January but after turning a corner in February, there was renewed hope of another potential title hijack from the Etihad Stadium.

However, City’s chances of usurping Arsenal look bleak and Guardiola knows his side can only control their own results and hope for a slip-up from the north Londoners after their latest set of dropped points against Nottingham Forest.

“Disappointed for the result. We did everything, again,” Guardiola said in a post-match interview with TNT Sports. “We didn’t concede much and we had chances, at the end especially, but during the game as well. But yeah, (we will) keep going.”

On whether he is expecting further twists and turns in the title race, Guardiola added: “There are a lot of games to play so we have to continue.”

What did Guardiola make of Manchester City’s penalty claims against Forest?

Manchester City had two major shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Darren England against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, prompting strong criticism from club captain Bernardo Silva for officiating decisions repeatedly going against the Blues this term.

However, Guardiola took a more pragmatic approach to his verdict on the denied penalties. “Nothing to say,” the Catalan said to TNT Sports on the penalty shouts that went against Manchester City against Forest.

Adding on the subject in his post-match press conference, the 55-year-old said: “Always I believe we have to do much better, much better to not make interventions from officials.

“Otherwise, we don’t have anything. It’s our responsibility to do better. If you have to rely on them with what happened this season, it’s impossible. Nothing more to say.”

How do Manchester City pick themselves up to go again?

Guardiola was not overly critical of his side’s performance against Forest – in fact, the Manchester City manager liked certain aspects of what his players put on show against Vitor Pereira’s men.

“In general, it was a good performance,” Guardiola said in his press conference. “Many, many good things. And of course, we have things we can improve in some departments. But in general, really good.”

On whether it would be difficult for Manchester City to pick themselves up again after their latest setback, Guardiola said in a defiant tone: “Are you sure? Okay…”

Guardiola and his players don’t have the luxury of time to dwell upon Wednesday’s disappointment as they quickly switch their focus to Saturday night’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Bad news for the Bavarians.

After a perfect week and the victory in the Klassiker, Vincent Kompany will have to deal with some bad news for tomorrow night's match.

This Thursday at a press conference, the Belgian coach announced that Harry Kane will be unavailable for the championship match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

"𝙄𝙩𝙤, 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙨, and 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙚 are unavailable. Harry received a blow to the calf and is not yet recovered. It's just a knock, nothing serious for the moment, but he might miss a day before he can join us," he explained.

However, on a positive note, Vincent Kompany also announced the return of Manuel Neuer in goal, who had been injured for several matches.

It remains to be seen whether the English striker will be fit for the Champions League round of 16 between Bayern and Atalanta Bergamo.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Real Madrid will look to address the engine room of their side this summer, making a move to improve their midfield two seasons after the arrival of Jude Bellingham, and more crucially, after the exits of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Los Blancos have struggled to adapt without their long-time controllers in the middle of the pitch, but it seems that the insistence on Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde as partners for Aurelien Tchouameni has ended.

Reportedly, Xabi Alonso had requested an addition in the middle of the pitch last summer, as had Carlo Ancelotti the year before. Real Madrid were confident they could make it work with their current options, but after watching three managers, including Alvaro Arbeloa, unable to find the solution, it seems they will act this summer.

Vitinha rules out Real Madrid move

The dream signing in the position as it has been termed, is Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha. Although there was an acknowledgement that any deal would be complicated, the Portugal international remained top of their shortlist. However he has now ruled out a move to the Spanish capital.

Image via Fichajes

“It would be foolish to leave. I don’t think it would be the best thing for me. I feel great here at PSG! I feel like people really appreciate me, and I’ve earned that affection. I love being here; my family does too. The group is fantastic, and the coach is incredible,” he told Canal 11, as quoted by Diario AS.

Real Madrid’s alternatives for midfield

That would appear to rule out any pursuit of Vitinha, as the first step would have been him pushing for a move. Other names mentioned are Kees Smit, whose price tag is a concern at the Bernabeu, or Adam Wharton, for whom interest appears to have faded. The economic alternative is Chema Andres, who left Castilla last summer, but has impressed at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia has been cleared by FIFA to select Rani Khedira, a former Germany youth international and brother of Sami Khedira, for the World Cup in North America.

The 32-year-old Union Berlin midfielder is the younger brother of Sami Khedira, who played on Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team. They are eligible for Germany and Tunisia through their parents.

The Tunisian soccer federation and FIFA announced late Wednesday that Khedira’s application to switch national eligibility was approved.

The federation posted a “Welcome Home” message on its Instagram account for Khedira to begin playing for the team known as the Eagles of Carthage.

Tunisia is in a World Cup group with the Netherlands, Japan and the winner of a European playoffs bracket this month that could be Ukraine. Tunisia's first two games are in Monterrey, Mexico, before playing the Dutch in Kansas City.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

With a remarkable 130 goals in 133 games in all competitions, Harry Kane has been a big hit at Bayern Munich since making the move to Germany from Tottenham for a reported €95 million fee in the summer of 2023.

German World Cup winner and former Bayern player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann has followed the 32-year-old England captain’s Bundesliga achievements with admiration and sees him as an ideal ambassador for the league.

“What Harry has done since joining Bayern Munich is simply incredible," Klinsmann told Bulinews.com and other selected media at a virtual roundtable on Wednesday.

“It’s unbelievable. He's not only a fantastic player on the pitch, with all the goals, assists and records, but also an ambassador of the game.”

Klinsmann believes Kane is respected and admired across Germany, and not just by his own club's supporters.

“People in Germany love him – and not just Bayern Munich fans. Everybody adores him for his qualities. He’s the best ambassador you could ask for, coming from England and playing in the Bundesliga," Klinsmann added, before making a World Cup prediction:

“I was asked today who I think will be the top goalscorer at the World Cup, and I said Harry right away.”

Having scored 30 goals in 24 Bundesliga matches so far in the 2025/26 season, Kane is chasing Robert Lewandowski’s record of 41 goals in a single Bundesliga campaign.

During the interview on Wednesday, Klinsmann expressed confidence in Kane’s chances of breaking the record.

However, the England captain now has one game less to add to his tally, as it was confirmed Thursday morning that he will miss Bayern Munich's Friday clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach due to a calf injury.