Pep Guardiola has included Rodri, who has been recovering from an injury, in the list for the knockout play-offs. His return to action could be crucial for City in their tough match-up with Real Madrid.

It’s also notable that new signing Vitor Reis won’t be part of the squad, which might be disappointing for him, but it’s not uncommon for some transfers to take time to get integrated into the squad for competitions like the Champions League. The inclusion of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nico Gonzalez adds some depth and options for Guardiola in the upcoming crucial fixtures.

With the first leg at the Etihad on February 11 and the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu the following week, it’s set to be an exciting battle between two footballing giants. Are you looking forward to this clash?

It’s interesting that Alex Iwobi admitted he hasn’t fully learned the reintroduced national anthem yet. Given that “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” has such a deep history, and it’s only recently been reintroduced after being replaced for decades, it’s understandable that many people, including players, might not immediately adjust to it. Iwobi’s reaction of standing with his eyes closed and hand on his chest seems like a respectful way of participating while still processing the change.

This reintroduction has definitely stirred up some debate, with figures like Aisha Yesufu openly rejecting the return of the old anthem, highlighting how symbolic these kinds of decisions can be. It’ll be interesting to see if others in Nigeria, including public figures and athletes, gradually embrace the anthem or continue to resist it. What do you think about the return of the old anthem?

Ademola Lookman’s return will be a welcome boost for Atalanta, especially considering his impressive contributions this season. Scoring 14 goals and providing 7 assists in just 27 games shows how key he’s been for the team. It’s unfortunate he won’t be available for the Champions League play-off with Club Brugge, but it sounds like he’ll be ready to help his team in Serie A soon, with the match against Empoli on February 23 being his expected return.

Hopefully, his knee injury is fully healed by then, and he can get back to his best form for Atalanta!

Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United has been marked by some tension with Marcus Rashford, at least according to his own words. Amorim appears to feel that he couldn’t get Rashford to fully embrace his tactical vision, which ultimately led to Rashford’s departure on loan to Aston Villa.

It’s interesting to note that Rashford’s departure is framed as more of a clash of philosophies between the player and the coach rather than a matter of ability. Amorim acknowledges that some players simply click with certain coaches, and Rashford might perform better under Unai Emery’s management at Villa. Given that Rashford has had such success in previous seasons with United, it will be intriguing to see how he adapts to this new chapter in his career.

The fact that Villa has the option to make the deal permanent for £40 million suggests they have a level of confidence in Rashford’s ability to contribute. It will also be interesting to see whether Rashford can find his rhythm under Emery, who has a different coaching approach. What do you think about the move? Could this be a fresh start for Rashford?

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for an important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali. The match will take place at the Amahoro Stadium on Friday, March 21. The Nigerian squad will assemble in Kigali starting Sunday, March 16, for preparations.

This will be a crucial fixture as the Super Eagles are currently without a win in their qualifiers, having recorded three draws and one defeat so far. After the Rwanda clash, Nigeria will face Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on March 25.

It will be interesting to see how the team approaches this match, given their challenging start in the qualifiers.

That’s a remarkable gesture from Cristiano Ronaldo, showcasing the depth of their bond. It’s clear that their friendship extended beyond football, with Ronaldo willing to sacrifice part of his earnings to help Pepe stay at Real Madrid. Pepe’s decision to leave for Besiktas was evidently about more than money—it was about finding fulfillment in a new chapter of his career. It must have been a tough choice, but his desire to “get back to feeling football” seems to have guided him in making that move.

Ronaldo’s selflessness in that moment speaks volumes about the respect and care they had for each other, both as teammates and as friends. What do you think of their relationship both on and off the field?

Paul Parker’s comments reflect a belief that Marcus Rashford’s departure from Manchester United may have been a good move for both the player and manager Ruben Amorim. While Rashford has been a key figure for United in the past, Parker points out that Rashford hasn’t been able to fit into Amorim’s tactical setup, particularly in a central forward role, and that his attitude might have been a disruptive factor in the locker room.

Parker’s comments about Rashford’s preference for not being in a physical, back-to-goal role—along with his apparent reluctance to battle for possession or take hits—suggest that Rashford might not have been able to adapt to the demands of Amorim’s style. If Rashford is struggling to perform and doesn’t fit in the system, his exit might help both the manager and the team maintain balance and focus for the rest of the season.

Do you think Rashford will find more success at Aston Villa, or do you feel he could have turned things around at Manchester United under Amorim?

Gary Neville’s comments about Arsenal’s forwards highlight a concern that has been on many fans’ minds this season. Despite Arsenal having a solid all-around team, their lack of a consistent, proven goalscorer has often been exposed in big matches. The defeat to Newcastle, which saw Arsenal go out of the Carabao Cup, was a stark reminder of the importance of having someone clinical up front, especially when key players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka are sidelined.

Neville’s point about the attempted bid for Ollie Watkins is interesting. While it shows that Arsenal is aware of the need for a stronger attack, it also reveals that the current forwards may not be up to the level required to challenge for top honors consistently. Even though they have quality in their squad, a natural goal scorer could be the missing piece for Arteta’s side.

Do you think Arsenal should have done more to secure a striker in January, or do you believe they can still challenge with their current forward options?

This is indeed a tragic and alarming situation. The disappearance and subsequent discovery of Hon. Justice Azuka’s decomposing body raise many questions about his kidnapping and the circumstances surrounding his death. The fact that his body was found at the 2nd Niger Bridge by security forces might indicate the level of planning and coordination involved in this crime.

Kidnappings have unfortunately been a significant concern in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in regions with high crime rates. The authorities, including the police, are likely to investigate further to understand the motives behind the abduction and determine the responsible parties.

It’s crucial that justice is sought for the late lawmaker, and his family and constituents must be going through an extremely difficult time. Do you have any thoughts on how the authorities might tackle such issues moving forward, or concerns about the state of security in the region?