Tuesday gossip

MCFC Editorial

Media: City v Real is 'tie of the round'

The Champions League last-16 draw yesterday, a Carabao Cup quarter final tomorrow and then Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday...
It's a busy time for City right now.
And the media reflects that this morning, with City's name all over the back pages.
Most of it is Champions League analysis, with our two-legged tie against Real Madrid widely seen as the most mouthwatering draw.

There’s also some transfer gossip, despite Pep Guardiola’s insistence we will not be making any moves during the January window.
So, without further delay, it’s time for this morning’s Media Watch!

Champions League reaction
The Guardian: Champions League last 16 draw: tie-by-tie analysis
Jonathan Wilson writes: “Real Madrid v Manchester City
“Real Madrid paid a heavy price for finishing as runners-up in their group, although the sense is that both sides may look rather different come February. Madrid have slowly improved after a difficult start to the season, following the familiar pattern of Zinedine Zidane sides, but the reconstruction of their midfield will be severely tested by a City side who, with Liverpool 14 points clear of them in the Premier League, will presumably devote their attentions fully to Europe. Their recent stutter has been rooted in two issues: problems at the back and a lack of attacking ruthlessness, but they may melt away when Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Agüero return. City, anyway, should be a far stiffer test than they were against Madrid in the 2016 semi-final.
"Prediction: Manchester City"

The National: Champions League last-16 analysis and predictions
Ian Hawkey writes: “Real Madrid v Manchester City
“No visit to the Bernabeu can ever be "just another match" for Pep Guardiola, a man raised on the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona, the club he supported, captained and then coached with extraordinary success - a success which, since he guided Barcelona to the second of his two European Cups as a manager, is envied by the clubs he has coached since. His Manchester City, brilliant Premier League champions for two years running, are impatient for the bigger prize.
“Madrid-City looks the tie of the round, a meeting of two managers whose career paths mirror one another. Zinedine Zidane, like Guardiola, won a European Cup in his first season as a senior coach. He then added two more. Madrid have an uncanny, Midas touch in this tournament. But City are mature and strong enough to defy that.
“Prediction: City to find out Madrid’s flaws."

90Min.com: Ranking the 8 Champions League Last 16 Ties By How Good They Are Going to Be
Jamie Spencer writes: "1. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
“This tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City not only pits two elite sides against each, it has the added factor of manager Pep Guardiola going up against his old Clásico adversaries.
“These two last met in the 2015/16 semi-finals, with Real edging the tie by a single goal in a 1-0 aggregate score-line. This time around, there promise to be big battles all over the pitch between two clubs that are desperate to win the Champions League for different reasons."

Transfer News
TEAMtalk: Man City lead Liverpool, Chelsea for Nigeria sensation
TEAMtalk write: "Nigerian sensation Ibrahim Said could be heading for the Premier League in 2020 with Manchester City leading the chase for the brilliant teenager, TEAMtalk understands.
"The 17-year-old forward was one of the stars of the recent Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, where he scored a hat-trick against Ecuador.
"Said is currently with the Dabo Babes Academy, but has been in Europe and attended the Ballon d’Or awards as he was nominated for Goal of the Tournament.
"Now City are hoping to persuade Said to move to England, although neighbours Manchester United are also keen, along with Liverpool and Chelsea.
"But our sources have informed us the biggest dangers to land him appear to be Portuguese giants Porto and Sporting Lisbon, who are trying to entice him to begin his career with them."