Match Details

Related News

• Player Ratings: Cherki 8 shines but Forest denied City in the Etihad

  Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League trophy hit a major snag after a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest left them seven points behind Arsenal, despite goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rodri. ​The reigning champions saw their control over the title race slip further away during a frustrating evening at the Etihad. City initially took the lead through Antoine Semenyo, but they were twice pegged back by a resilient Nottingham Forest side. While Rodri appeared to have secured the points with a second-half header, Elliot Anderson’s late long-range strike ensured the spoils were shared. ​Pep Guardiola’s men now face a steep mountain to climb, sitting seven points adrift of the Gunners with only one game in hand. The lack of clinical finishing and uncharacteristic defensive lapses allowed Forest to escape with a point, piling the pressure on City ahead of their crucial upcoming fixtures. ​Manchester City Player Ratings ​Gianluigi Donnarumma: 7/10 The Italian shot-stopper was reliable throughout, pulling off several key saves to keep City in the hunt. He could do little about the opening goal after being wrong-footed by a deflection, but otherwise provided a steady presence between the posts. ​Matheus Nunes: 5/10 Nunes struggled to make an impact on the right, failing to offer the necessary width or creativity in the final third. Defensively, he looked suspect and was caught out of position on a few occasions as Forest looked to exploit the flanks. ​Marc Guehi: 6/10 It was a mixed night for the England international, whose passing was uncharacteristically sloppy at times. He was forced to rely on his defensive partner to bail him out and was arguably slow to close down Anderson for the visitors’ second equalizer. ​Ruben Dias: 7/10 Dias was the standout in the heart of the defense, reading the game well and making several vital interventions. He was unfortunately unlucky that the deflection for the Forest goal was so unpredictable, as his overall performance was near-flawless. ​Rayan Ait-Nouri: 7/10 A constant outlet on the left, Ait-Nouri’s energy was a highlight for the home side. He provided the pinpoint delivery from a corner for Rodri’s goal and remained an integral part of City’s transition from defense to attack. ​Rodri: 6/10 While he found the back of the net with a trademark powerful header, the Spaniard occasionally looked overrun by Forest’s quick-transitioning midfield. He will be disappointed not to have done more to prevent the late equalizer from the edge of the box. ​Bernardo Silva: 7/10 Silva was his usual industrious self, covering immense ground and constantly looking to probe the Forest defense. He was denied what looked like a certain goal by a spectacular save from Matz Sels in the second half. ​Rayan Cherki: 8/10 The most creative spark in the City lineup, Cherki was a constant menace. He provided a brilliant assist for the opening goal and created several high-quality chances that his teammates ultimately failed to convert. ​Phil Foden: 6/10 Foden showed flashes of his brilliance but struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match. He was unable to find the decisive pass or shot to unlock a stubborn Forest defense and was substituted late in the game. ​Antoine Semenyo: 7/10 Semenyo continued his fine form with a clinical finish to open the scoring. While he struggled to stay central to the action as the match wore on, his early contribution was a reminder of his growing importance to this attack. ​Erling Haaland: 6/10 Still finding his rhythm after a recent injury layoff, the Norwegian marksman lacked his usual predatory edge. He was largely starved of service but also struggled to create space for himself against a physical Forest backline. ​Substitutes ​Jeremy Doku: 6/10 Introduced for Foden to provide more directness, Doku found it difficult to get into the game. He was often crowded out by Forest defenders before he could turn and drive toward the goal. ​Abdukodir Khusanov: 6/10 Replacing Ait-Nouri late on, the defender slotted into the right-back role to provide more stability. He carried out his duties without major incident but couldn’t influence the offensive push. ​Savinho: 6/10 Brought on for Cherki in the closing stages, the Brazilian winger had little time to truly change the course of the match as Forest sat deep to protect their point.

• Fabregas: ‘Como deserved victory over Inter, dream is to challenge for more’

  Cesc Fabregas lauded his Como side’s tactical discipline following a goalless draw with Inter, asserting that the underdogs were the more likely team to secure a first-leg advantage.

  Como manager Cesc Fabregas believes his side deserved more than a 0-0 draw against Inter in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg.

  Deploying Nico Paz as a false nine, the hosts restricted the Serie A leaders to a single shot on target.

  “The result is what it is. Overall, I feel that perhaps we deserved to score a goal,” Fabregas remarked after the stalemate.

  Reflecting on the club’s rapid ascent from Serie B, Fabregas emphasized his long-term ambitions for the project.

  While the second leg at San Siro remains undecided, he remains focused on constant growth and tactical evolution.

  “I cannot lie, the dream is to challenge for more,” he noted, praising his players for forcing the dominant Nerazzurri into a more defensive, tactical “chess match.”

• Fabregas took disciplinary action against Como talent Nico Paz

  Como manager Cesc Fabregas benched star talent Nico Paz for the match against Lecce as a disciplinary measure after the youngster arrived late for a scheduled team meal.

  ​Cesc Fabregas sent a firm message to his squad by dropping Nico Paz from the starting lineup against Lecce.

  The Real Madrid product, who was expected to return following a suspension, reportedly irritated the coach by turning up late to a pre-match team dinner.

  Fabregas initially remained tight-lipped about the benching, stating before kick-off, “it was simply a choice that I made.”

  ​Despite the disciplinary action, Paz was eventually introduced as a second-half substitute during Como’s 3-1 comeback victory.

  The decision to bench the Argentine was intended to reinforce discipline ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter Milan.

  By integrating him later in the game, Fabregas signaled that the youngster had been forgiven after receiving an initial warning regarding professional standards.

• Inter Milan to offer Cristian Chivu improved deal despite UCL heartbreak

  Inter Milan plan to reward manager Cristian Chivu with a long-term contract extension and a salary increase despite the club’s recent Champions League exit against Bodo/Glimt.

  ​Inter Milan remain committed to securing manager Cristian Chivu’s future with a new long-term deal.

  Despite a disappointing Champions League elimination by Bodo/Glimt, club president Beppe Marotta intends to offer the Romanian coach an extension until 2029.

  Chivu, who took over following Simone Inzaghi’s departure, has impressed the board by moving “one step away from winning the Scudetto” during his debut season in Milan.

  ​The 45-year-old was appointed last summer after Inter was “turned down by Como boss Cesc Fabregas.”

  Although he arrived with limited senior experience, Chivu’s domestic success has outweighed European frustrations.

  The hierarchy is now prepared to increase his salary to reflect his status. This move reaffirms the club’s faith in his leadership as they look to finalize their dominance in Serie A this term.

• ‘They would have destroyed us’ — Cesc Fabregas reacts to Como’s win at Juventus

  Cesc Fabregas credited Como’s discipline and a crucial second goal for their victory against a vertical Juventus side now facing a significant crisis under Luciano Spalletti.

  ​Como manager Cesc Fabregas lauded his team’s organization following a vital victory over Juventus, moved within one point of the Bianconeri in the Serie A standings.

  Despite Juventus dominating phases of play, Como’s early lead and defensive discipline stifled the hosts.

  Fabregas noted that the tactical balance between Juventus’s vertical attack and cautious defense ultimately limited their fluency during the high-stakes encounter.

  ​Reflecting on the progress made by Luciano Spalletti’s side, Fabregas emphasized the necessity of a clinical second goal to secure the result.

  He remarked: “Juventus have improved greatly since Spalletti took over, they’re all vertical. I told the lads that to win we had to score a second goal, otherwise they would have destroyed us with that quality.”

  The defeat leaves Juventus fifth.