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In this exclusive series, Goal, in association with TECNO and Manchester City, are going behind the scenes to tell you about the role of the non-playing staff at The Etihad.

In this interview, we sit down with Lee Jones, the Head of Facilities and Maintenance at Manchester City.

Lee Jones started working as a Stadium Manager at the Etihad back in 2014 and after seven years, Jones is now the Head of Facilities and Maintenance, a role he has been in for the last two months. Jones and his team are responsible in maintaining the sporting as well as office facilities of the club

Q: How long have you been at the club and in this current role?

LJ: I have been at the club in the facilities team for seven years and my current role for two months. I started as the Etihad Stadium Manager and now I am lucky enough to be the Head of Facilities and Maintenance.

Q: What does a regular workday look like?

LJ: There is no such thing as a regular workday for me, every day is different which is a bit of a cliché, but it is true. The scope of our department spans all sorts of facilities and services so the working day can be planning an event, building or project works, facilitating our office spaces or ensuring our elite sporting facilities are up to standard.

Q: What is the most unique/interesting aspect of the job?

LJ: Being responsible for preparing facilities that provide the physical environment for the organisation to be successful is the best thing about our job. Whether we are preparing our stadium for a match, an office environment for our staff or hospitality suite for our customers, knowing the work of our department enables all of those things to take place in what is a very demanding calendar is very rewarding.

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of the job?

LJ: Sometimes the timescales we need to work to are tight and require our work to be fast, adaptable and of good quality. Whilst doing that we have to maintain standards befitting of our organisational values to ensure everything we deliver represents our club in the best way.

Q: How has the pandemic affected matchday?

LJ: The most obvious thing is atmosphere and our fans not being in the stadium. We still have a lot of work to do to execute a behind closed doors match as there are strict protocols in place that we have to ensure are adhered to, but the satisfaction of seeing our stadium full of people enjoying the match and our facilities is something that I miss greatly.

Q: What has been the most memorable matchday?

LJ: Although we didn’t win the match, from a professional point of view, the Champions League semi final against Real Madrid is the game I remember the most. The work we did in the lead up to that game in what was one of the biggest fixtures you can hold outside of the final was brilliant. But as a fan, the most memorable match whilst I have been in this job, has to be when we won the league on the final day of the season in 2014 which was in my first few weeks in the job. To play a part in that operation was a real welcome to the job.

In this exclusive series, Goal, in association with TECNO and Manchester City, are going behind the scenes to tell you about the role of the non-playing staff at The Etihad.

In this interview, we sit down with Lee Jones, the Head of Facilities and Maintenance at Manchester City.

Lee Jones started working as a Stadium Manager at the Etihad back in 2014 and after seven years, Jones is now the Head of Facilities and Maintenance, a role he has been in for the last two months. Jones and his team are responsible in maintaining the sporting as well as office facilities of the club

Q: How long have you been at the club and in this current role?

LJ: I have been at the club in the facilities team for seven years and my current role for two months. I started as the Etihad Stadium Manager and now I am lucky enough to be the Head of Facilities and Maintenance.

Q: What does a regular workday look like?

LJ: There is no such thing as a regular workday for me, every day is different which is a bit of a cliché, but it is true. The scope of our department spans all sorts of facilities and services so the working day can be planning an event, building or project works, facilitating our office spaces or ensuring our elite sporting facilities are up to standard.

Q: What is the most unique/interesting aspect of the job?

LJ: Being responsible for preparing facilities that provide the physical environment for the organisation to be successful is the best thing about our job. Whether we are preparing our stadium for a match, an office environment for our staff or hospitality suite for our customers, knowing the work of our department enables all of those things to take place in what is a very demanding calendar is very rewarding.

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of the job?

LJ: Sometimes the timescales we need to work to are tight and require our work to be fast, adaptable and of good quality. Whilst doing that we have to maintain standards befitting of our organisational values to ensure everything we deliver represents our club in the best way.

Q: How has the pandemic affected matchday?

LJ: The most obvious thing is atmosphere and our fans not being in the stadium. We still have a lot of work to do to execute a behind closed doors match as there are strict protocols in place that we have to ensure are adhered to, but the satisfaction of seeing our stadium full of people enjoying the match and our facilities is something that I miss greatly.

Q: What has been the most memorable matchday?

LJ: Although we didn’t win the match, from a professional point of view, the Champions League semi final against Real Madrid is the game I remember the most. The work we did in the lead up to that game in what was one of the biggest fixtures you can hold outside of the final was brilliant. But as a fan, the most memorable match whilst I have been in this job, has to be when we won the league on the final day of the season in 2014 which was in my first few weeks in the job. To play a part in that operation was a real welcome to the job.

Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes has claimed that he will never be too tired to play every single minute of every game for his club, insisting that “90 minutes every two days is not enough”.

With the Red Devils' clash with Liverpool now rearranged for Thursday, May 13, United have four matches to play in the space of a week – a schedule that is sure to take its toll on any team without utilising squad players and rotating.

Fernandes, however, has no intention of asking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a break, but instead sent a message to his boss that he will always be ready for selection if he is not injured.

What did Bruno say?

The Portugal international told United's official website: “For me, the most important [thing] is playing. When the coach wants me, it's important to know I'm ready to play every game, every minute.

“I will never say I'm [too] tired to play because this is my dream. I will never be tired to play.

“When I was a kid, I played maybe seven or eight hours a day. So, to play 90 minutes every three days or two days is not enough for me.”

Living for the team

Fernandes' scoring stats speak for themselves, with the Portuguese – and team-mate Marcus Rashford – both sitting one goal behind Erling Haaland in the European scoring charts with nine.

For the playmaker, though, the numbers are not what's important. Asked if he is aiming to overtake the Borussia Dortmund goal machine, he replied: “No. For me, helping Rashy (Rashford) to pass him is more important for me.

“I'm there to serve my strikers. It doesn't matter if I pass him or Rashy passes him. I will be happy anyway because I give many assists. If we both go ahead of him? That would be good and we draw at the end!”

No time to relax

United face Roma in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night with a 6-2 advantage. However, given the Serie A side were leading at half-time in that match, Fernandes knows there can be no complacency in the Italian capital.

“I think we have to approach the game well,” he explained. “We know the qualities they have and what they caused us in the first half so we have to go there, not giving them any hope or chance to believe that they can change the result.

“I think we have great players but, anyway, it doesn't matter who plays. We have qualities and everyone can do something for the team, everyone can score, everyone, if they have a chance, can do really well. It doesn't matter who plays, everyone will be ready.”

Further reading

Marc-Andre ter Stegen would welcome Erling Haaland to Barcelona with open arms, admitting that a prolific striker seeing a switch to Camp Nou mooted would "make any team in the world better".

There is no guarantee that a raid on Borussia Dortmund will be launched by those in Catalunya, with financial constraints in the next transfer window and plenty of rival interest in a hot prospect needing to be taken into account.

Haaland may also choose to stay put for the time being, allowing his ongoing development to be enhanced in Germany, but Ter Stegen admits that whoever gets him is going to acquire a star with the potential to shine "for the next 10 years".

What has been said?

Asked for his opinion on a 20-year-old striking sensation, Barca goalkeeper Ter Stegen has told Sport1: "His style of play and goal scoring is impressive. 

"When you see videos in which he runs from the very back to the front in full sprint and hits the ball with all his might, that's amazing. It's pure will, you can't train that. Either you have this will or you don't. 

"Haaland would make any team in the world better. But that doesn't mean that he won't stay in Dortmund. 

"BVB is a very well run club at which an excellent job has been done in recent years. Why shouldn't he stay there for another year? That would be by no means a step backwards.

"If he leaves, his new team would have an amazing striker for the next 10 years."

Could Haaland be paired with Messi?

As Barcelona mull over potential targets for the next window, every effort is also being made to keep key men on their books.

Lionel Messi tops that chart, with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner continuing to run his contract down towards free agency.

Fresh terms have been mooted, with Copa del Rey glory and a La Liga title bid helping to keep the Argentine interested, and Ter Stegen is among those eager to see pen put to paper.

However, no pressure is being put on the 33-year-old by his club colleagues, with the South American having made it clear that no decision will be made on his future until the summer.

Ter Stegen added on the decision facing an illustrious colleague: "He's the player of the last few years for FC Barcelona. He is the maximum. 

"Of course, it would be a loss for FC Barcelona if he left. In the end, only he can decide whether to stay or not."

Further reading

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez has been shortlisted for the Champions League Player of the Week.

The Algeria international found the net twice as the Citizens defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in Tuesday’s second leg semi-final encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

A goal in each half by Mahrez powered Pep Guardiola’s men into the final following a 4-1 aggregate win.

He will compete with teammate Ruben Dias and Chelsea’s duo of N'Golo Kante and Kai Havertz for the individual accolade.

Frenchman Kante put up a man-of-the-match performance as the Blues sent Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid packing from the competition after defeating them 2-0 at the Stamford Bridge.

The player with the highest number of votes will be crowned as the Champions League Player of the Week.

Mahrez’s effort against Mauricio Pochettino’s team saw him equal Sadio Mane’s feat in the tournament.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner became the second player to score in both legs of the Champions League’s semi-final tie for an English team.

That effort saw the 30-year-old overtake Yacine Brahimi to become Algeria’s top scorer in the history of the Champions League with ten goals.

After the game, the former Leicester City star claimed the Ligue 1 outfit "lost their nerve and started to kick us" in the ill-tempered affair.

"It was a very good game. We didn't start well again - we didn't have a good first half but we got the goal and we were more comfortable," Mahrez told BT Sport.

"We played well second half and we could have scored more. They lost their nerve and started to kick us and after the red card it was more comfortable.

"Of course Ederson's long pass was planned. We know he is capable of putting the ball in the other goal and we work it all the time and today it worked."

With two trophies all but secure, the Citizens will be aiming for a treble in the Champions League final when they face either the Stamford Bridge giants on May 29.

"Everybody has to be solid defensively and that's why we [reached the final]," he added.

"We didn't concede much and I think that's why we're in the final. It's good. We have another game on Saturday. We need to win to be league champions and then we'll concentrate on the Champions League final."

Safa has confirmed former Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has officially left the association in what could rule him out of consideration to be part of new coach Hugo Broos’ technical team.

Broos is expected in South Africa next week to start work, taking over from where Ntseki left off and the Belgian should be relieved that the 2022 World Cup qualifiers have been postponed from June to September.

Now, all the attention is on who Broos will rope in as his assistant coach. 

“The South African Football Association together with coach Molefi Ntseki have officially agreed to part ways amicably, following the senior national team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations,” Safa said in a statement on Thursday.

Ntseki leaves Bafana Bafana after taking charge of nine games in which he won four, drew two and lost three. 

Before being appointed South Africa coach, he went to the 2019 Afcon tournament as Stuart Baxter’s assistant. 

His successor Broos received a lifeline on Thursday when Caf moved the World Cup qualifiers to the September, October and November international windows.  

Soon after his appointment on Wednesday, he had initially been scheduled to take Bafana to Harare for the June 5 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, before another stern challenge awaits six days later when South Africa were fixtured to host Ghana in what would have been their second Group G match. 

“The Caf Emergency Committee, in consultation with Fifa, decided to postpone the Caf qualifiers for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 that were due to be played in June 2021 after taking into consideration the current challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to ensure the optimal playing conditions for all participating teams,” said Caf in a statement. 

“The qualifiers will now take place in the existing windows of September, October and November 2021, and March 2022.  Caf is reassessing its protocols and processes to enhance the implementation of Covid-related protocols, including specifically focusing on pre-match testing which had been the source of some challenges in previous windows.”

In the final round of Afcon qualifiers, Covid-19 wreaked havoc on most teams with some European leagues not releasing their players for international duty. 

Test results proved controversial, leading to Group L not being finalised where the match between Benin and Sierra Leone being postponed. 

Inter boss Antonio Conte is ready to rekindle his rivalry with Jose Mourinho next season, as the Portuguese prepares to take charge of Roma, but Angelo Alessio insists talk of tension between the pair has been "blown out of proportion".

Two fiery characters have butted heads in the past, with their time together in the Premier League at Chelsea and Manchester United seeing sparks fly.

Mourinho reacted angrily to Conte's celebrations during a meeting at Stamford Bridge, with the latter branding his coaching counterpart a "little man" in January 2018.

What has been said?

More sporting drama is expected when the duo cross tactical swords again, but Alessio - Conte's former assistant - insists any differences have been ironed out.

He has told Football Italia: "They are a bit similar. They have strong characters and maybe that can be one of the reasons why they clashed,.

"I remember we beat Manchester United in 2018 and Mourinho was upset due to Antonio’s celebration. They continued to taunt each other for some time after that.

"Sometimes things get blown out of proportion. There were not pleasant words between them, but it all began with a misunderstanding.

"That time, Mourinho was annoyed with Conte’s celebration, but that’s what Antonio always does. Everyone knows that, it was a regular celebration for him.

"They are smart people, so in the end, they cleared the air. Now they respect each other and I am sure we’ll see that when they meet next season."

Will Conte be sticking around at Inter?

Conte, who saw Chelsea to Premier League title glory and a FA Cup win during his time in England, has just guided Inter to a first Serie A crown in 11 years - since Mourinho last achieved that feat in 2010.

Questions have, however, been asked of how long he will be sticking around amid talk of financial difficulties at San Siro.

A return to Juventus has been mooted for the 51-year-old, but Alessio cannot see steps being retraced to Turin by a man who starred for the Bianconeri as a player and enjoyed three memorable seasons with them as a manager between 2011 and 2014.

Quizzed on the talk of a second spell with Juve being taken in, with Andrea Pirlo under pressure in that post at present, Alessio said: "Right now, I don’t think so.

"It’s difficult to predict right now. It seems unrealistic, but never say never in football."

Further reading

Midfielder Michael Madoya has explained why Tusker are different and a big club in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

Madoya joined the Brewers three seasons ago from Zoo FC and he has now explained why the former champions are on a different level in Kenya in terms of leadership and expectations.

“Being at Tusker has been very different because here things are run professionally and it is a big team so definitely the expectations are big,” Madoya told the club’s portal. “Also, the financial aspect of the club and the general culture are different so it has been a huge learning process for me.”

The star believes he has been on a learning curve since he joined the Nairobi club although he has not enjoyed regular playtime time under Robert Matano especially this season notably due to injuries and stiff competition.

“I have grown a lot since arriving at Tusker and I continue to learn every day. The things that I was doing at Zoo I can’t do them here because I have to work harder and match up with the expectations. I believe being here will make me a better player,” he added.

Madoya had expressed his desire to win the FKF Premier League title with the 2011 KPL champions. Tusker are at the top of the Premier League table after 16 games and enjoy 36 points, six more than KCB who are second but have played fewer games.

“I have won individual trophies during my time at Zoo and now what remains is winning the league title,” Madoya, who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Midfielder of the Year, the Fairplay Player of the Year and the New Player of the Year accolades in 2018 said.

“This is what I am working on now and dreaming of currently at Tusker. I believe if we win something as a team, I will have achieved a great feat and added a trophy to my cabinet.”

“So far so good at Tusker since I arrived. We have not won anything yet but this season, I can see we are doing good and I remain very optimistic that at the end of the season we will get something.”

Madoya and Tusker are expected to start training soon ahead of the May 12 game against KCB.

Former Serie A star Paolo Di Canio, now working as a pundit for Italian television, has refused to apologise for comments made in a leaked WhatsApp audio sent to a friend in which he referred to Jose Mourinho as the “worst of the worst”.

Mourinho was recently appointed as Roma's new head coach, marking a swift return to the dugout after being sacked by Tottenham on April 19th following a string of poor results and bringing an end to his time in London after 17 months.

In the wake of his appointment, Di Canio had been exchanging voice messages with a Giallorossi-supporting friend known only as “Cra”, and the 52-year-old was damning in his assessment of the Portuguese being hired by the Italian capital club.

What did the leaked audio file say?

“You’ve got the worst of the worst,” Di Canio said in the recording. “I understand you needed a big name at this moment, but it’s like when you sign a player who is finished. 

“Mourinho just wanted a job with money, he’s had his third sacking in four years, kicked out from everywhere due to the incompatibility of his character and before that’s all he was good at, having character.

“Now Tottenham gave him the boot for his results and incapacity to take the team to another level after two years with all the money they spent. He’s finished in every conceivable way.

“He doesn’t even play football, he plays anti-football. You might enjoy yourselves in a few press conferences, because controversy makes for good theatre, but let me tell you: to reconstruct a team, he’s the worst you could possibly get.

“And I can say that because he was my favourite up until seven years ago, even more than Pep Guardiola.”

How did Di Canio respond?

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport released on Thursday, Di Canio claimed that the audio was merely a small part of a much larger conversation.

“Firstly, I don't have to apologise to anyone. It was a private conversation and I can do as I please,” he said.

“Secondly, that audio was part of another six or seven messages in which I said very positive things about Mourinho. It's cowardly that they only leaked that part.

“It's a ridiculous and pathetic story. We were talking for fun, I was making fun of an old friend.”

He added: “There was talk of [hiring Maurizio] Sarri, of playing attractive football. I said that Mourinho has lost appeal. He no longer seems to me to have the strength, the energy, to stay at the top level for 24 hours a day. 

“My joke also meant that he won't win the Scudetto, but maybe he will, who knows? With this Roma side you can reach the top six with your eyes closed.

“I didn't say what I said to belittle Roma, but the opposite. Years ago, I would have said that Mourinho is a luxury for Roma, now I say that Roma is a luxury for Mourinho.

Does he expect a reaction from Jose?

Di Canio expects the viral audio to reach Mourinho, but feels that one of the most decorated trainers in the history of football will care little. 

“He has big shoulders, he will make his jokes,” he said of the Portuguese. “He will say 'Di Canio who? The one sacked from Sunderland after five days?' He won't give a damn about it.”

Further reading

AFC Leopards midfielder Eugene Mukangula has revealed there is a strong feeling within the team that this is their season to win the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title.

Ingwe were last crowned in 1998 and since then they have failed to get their hands on the league title. It seems things might be different in the ongoing campaign since the 13-time champions are placed third on the table with 29 points.

The former Thika United player conceded the break orchestrated by the Covid-19 pandemic affected their momentum, but they are getting back and determined to go all the way.

"The league suspension halted our momentum in the league because prior to it we were really doing well," Mukangula told Goal on Thursday.

"But we are confident the coach [Patrick Auseems] will come with a strategy to help us get positive results. The fixture will definitely be tight but we are going to give our best.

"Of course we will not start from where we were in terms of match and physical fitness, but it will eventually happen when we start to play.

"As players, we are prepared to give our best because as a team, we feel this is a massive opportunity for us to get the league title. This is our time."

In the 14 matches played this season, the Nairobi-based charges have won nine games, drawn two, and lost three. They have scored 18 goals in the process and conceded nine.

On Wednesday, May 12, they will host 2008 champions Mathare United in the top-tier assignment. The Slum Boys are bottom of the table with six points from the 13 games they have played.

The Salim Ali-led team have won just one game this season, drawing thrice and losing nine. They have scored 10 goals and conceded 22.

On the same day, Wazito FC are scheduled to host reigning champions Gor Mahia. The hosts have been doing well this season after struggles in the initial campaigns.

They are placed sixth on the table with 22 points after six wins, four draws and as many losses from the 14 games they have played. They have scored 14 goals and conceded as many.

On the other hand, K'Ogalo are eighth with three points less after six wins, a draw and six losses as well. They have scored 20 goals and conceded 17. 

Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp has credited Mamelodi Sundowns' 2-0 Premier Soccer League win to the difference in quality between the two sides.

Middendorp believes the quality at his disposal cannot be compared to what the Brazilians boast after suffering a defeat in the midweek duel. Goals from Ricardo Nascimento and Gift Motupa gave Mamelodi Sundowns the win and ensured they recorded consecutive victories after the previous 3-0 win over Orlando Pirates.

"Comparing to Sundowns at the individual level, we are not on the same level. Out of their four possibilities, they scored twice while we had three or four but we did not score at all. It is about how you pick your opportunities and work them out. It was not by accident,"  Middendorp told SuperSport TV after the Wednesday match.

“It was easier and I think in two or three situations at the beginning of the game we were lucky not to concede. Then all of a sudden, we go three opportunities out of the pressing moment and going into the final third and out of the three opportunities we had to score.

"Of course, at the end of the first half to concede a penalty then you know the situations that you are in; try to keep your structure and try to create some opportunities again. Then it is good you saw the difference in terms of quality."  

However, Middendorp also believes the Team of Choice did not take full advantage of their pressing and chances created.

"All these opportunities were prepared because of good pressing, picking the ball and going straight-forward into the box and all those three moments were not by an accident," said the former Kaizer Chiefs head coach.

"It was a clear structure that we were thinking of using from the beginning to the end. It is all about small details in terms of positioning, in terms of making the right decision and that is definitely where you have to be at your best to have your chance."

The ex-Chippa United coach also highlighted the importance of goal difference with the teams below them in the bid to keep their PSL status at the end of the season.

"I am always looking into the goal difference too and we still have a good goal-difference at the bottom," the 62-year-old German stated. "Our game on May 12 is something crucial where we have to prepare for it properly."

Their next game against Golden Arrows will be an opportunity to try and win in order to keep their position above Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Chippa United, and Black Leopards.

Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp believes the difference in quality tilted the PSL Wednesday duel in favour of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Harvey Elliott is "100 per cent confident" that he can earn a regular role at Liverpool next season, with the talented 18-year-old proving in a loan spell at Blackburn that he is ready to shine for his parent club.

The classy playmaker, who took 26th spot on Goal's 2021 NXGN list, was allowed to leave Anfield in October 2020 as Jurgen Klopp sought to get important minutes into the hottest of prospects.

Elliott has starred during a stint in the Championship, earning an EFL Young Player of the Year nomination, and believes he is now capable of adding to the nine competitive appearances that have already been taken in with Liverpool.

What has been said?

Asked on the Counter Attack Podcast whether he is ready to take that step with the Reds, Elliott said: "Definitely.

"I had a few appearances here and there last season and took this loan with Blackburn, which I personally thought would be the best thing for me.

"I had a chat with Jurgen as well and he said for me to go and express myself, and that the move would be the best thing for my career and for me to get the games and experience. He said he'd support me 100 per cent.

"Next season I am going to go back thinking I can get in the team. I have had this experience and feel ready, and have 50 appearances under my belt, which is a lot for a teenager.

"I feel 100 per cent confident I can go in and challenge. I'm looking forward to the fight and showing to people I am a different player and ready to play when called upon.

"I will need to work hard and train well and if I get my chance, I have to take it."

How has Elliott fared at Blackburn?

Rovers have been unable to piece together a promotion push this season, with consistency as a collective proving elusive at Ewood Park.

Elliott has, however, shown that he is capable of competing on a senior stage week in, week out.

He has taken in 42 appearances across all competitions, with six goals and 12 assists recorded in those outings.

Fierce competition for places remains in place at Liverpool, with Elliott battling with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for game time, but Klopp may feel there is a more prominent role for a precocious talent in his plans during the 2021-22 campaign.

Further reading

Mat Ryan has told Arsenal that he can be a "world-class" option for them between the sticks, with questions being asked of Bernd Leno's future at Emirates Stadium.

A Germany international goalkeeper has remained first-choice for the Gunners throughout the 2020-21 campaign, but has made the odd mistake and seen a summer transfer speculated on.

Ryan is hoping to make his own move in the next window, with the Australian eager to turn a loan switch from Brighton into something more permanent, and the 29-year-old is adamant that he has what it takes to be No.1 in north London.

What has been said?

Discussing his winter arrival and subsequent experiences with Arsenal, Ryan has told Optus Sport: "Obviously there was a bit of disappointment around how things ended up there at Brighton.

"Then this move came about and I could understand why people could have drawn the conclusion that ‘yeah, he’s coming here as a No.2 and wants to take the foot off the pedal, enjoy training and not push so hard’.

"Anyone that really knows me knows that’s not my style at all. My motivation is to get out on the pitch and perform.

"That’s the reason I sacrificed every other aspect of my life, moving away from family and friends to be across here and to be out there on the pitch and represent the club that I’m playing for.

"Obviously I knew that Arsenal have a great goalkeeper in Bernd, what he’s done in his career is testament to the world-class goalkeeper he is.

"But at the same time, I have self-belief that I’m also a world-class goalkeeper."

What does the future hold for Ryan?

Ryan has taken in three appearances for Arsenal so far, with all of those outings coming in the Premier League.

Back-up duties are being filled in a Europa League campaign that has the Gunners chasing down a final berth.

They are due to take in the second leg of a semi-final clash with Villarreal on Thursday, with a 2-1 deficit needing to be overturned on home soil.

Leno is expected to start that contest, but Ryan is ready to step in if required.

His short-term deal is due to expire at the end of the season, but Mikel Arteta has the option of keeping an experienced performer around for 2021-22 - one who is living the dream as a boyhood Arsenal supporter.

Further reading

The Maldives FA have initiated talks with the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to postpone the AFC Cup matches of Group D because of the worsening Coronavirus situation. 

Ahmed Mahloof, Maldives' Minister for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, confirmed the development on social media. 

The country is witnessing a sharp rise in cases after mid-April and keeping in mind public health and players' safety, the football association wants the matches to be postponed to a later date when conditions improve. 

On April 16, Maldives had just 82 cases along with a seven-day average of 84 cases per day. But since then, the numbers have shot up astronomically and on May 5, there were 734 new cases in the country. The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate which has forced Maldives FA to request AFC to postpone the games. 

Bangladesh's Abahani Dhaka Limited had already withdrawn from the tournament due to the worsening situation in the country and hence Bengaluru FC was supposed to face Club Eagles in their playoff fixture on May 11 in Male, Maldives.

"The sub-committee also agreed to award the Playoff Stage slot to Club Eagles, who will now face India’s JSW Bengaluru FC for a place in the AFC Cup Group D on May 11, 2021, in the Maldives," Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed via a press note on Friday.

Now it remains to be seen whether this match goes ahead as scheduled.

The winner of this fixture will join ATK Mohun Bagan, Basundhara Kings (Bangladesh), and Maziya (Maldives) in Group D. The group stages were slated to start from May 14 in Male. 

The Mariners were supposed to start training from April 26 in Kolkata but due to an increase in cases in India their foreign contingent along with coach Antonio Habas has not travelled to India. 

There are doubts over Fijian Roy Krishna's participation as the Pacific Island nation has gone into lockdown. 

Football fans have taken to social media to react to Champions League final fixture between Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Blues defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in the semi-finals of the elite European tournament on Wednesday night to reach the final of the tournament on 3-1 aggregate.

The Citizens have already secured their place in the final following their victory over French side Paris Saint-Germain in the last four of the competition on Tuesday night.

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and African music star Peter Okoye – Mr. P joined the club faithful across the world in celebrating their progress to the Uefa Champions League final.

The Blues defeated Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount, and they advanced to the final stage with a 3-1 aggregate win over the Spanish giants.

The progress leaves Chelsea with a chance to win their second Champions League title after their triumph in Munich in 2012.

Drogba, who led the Blues to the top of European club football eight years ago, immediately celebrated Thomas Tuchel’s men at the end of Wednesday’s match and he also shared his feeling with the women also set to play in the Uefa Women's Champions League final against Barcelona.

Mr. P, however, could not keep calm as he rolled on the floor to rejoice over the crucial result against Zinedine Zidane's side.

Mr. P was a member of the defunct music duo - P-Square and they won several group awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards, the Headies, Nigerian Music Awards amongst others.

Chelsea will battle Southampton in the FA Cup final on May 15 before they face Manchester City in the Champions League final, 14 days later in Istanbul.

Mason Mount has hit back at Toni Kroos following Chelsea's Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid, with the Blues star feeling slighted by the German's pre-match comments.

The England international helped Thomas Tuchel's side seal a trip to Istanbul to face Manchester City later this month after he doubled Timo Werner's earlier finish with a close-range tap-in of his own.

Speaking after the game however, the playmaker seemed to take aim at Kroos after the Madrid man said that no opponents in his career made him lose sleep.

What has been said?

"I saw one of their players say before that he doesn't lose sleep over individuals," Mount told CBS Sports.

"But as a team, they need to lose sleep over us as a team. We give so much, we defend for our lives.

"You saw that in not many chances that we gave away. We are solid and we need to keep that going."

What was Mount responding to?

The attacking midfielder's comments came in the wake of Kroos' statement at Madrid's pre-match press conference on Tuesday, ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge, where the Germany international appeared to indicate that few, if any, opposition sides had left him uneasy.

"In my 15 years playing football, I never lost sleep," the 31-year-old stated. "They showed in Madrid that they play as a team. They have a German coach so that doesn't surprise me. They defend well and have pace up front, those are their strengths."

Further Reading

Chelsea are confident of beating Manchester City in the Champions League final, despite the Premier League champions-elect being the "benchmark" in European football, says Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues set up an all-English final against the Citizens after beating Real Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in their semi-final second leg clash on Wednesday night, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory.

They will start as underdogs against City, who could claim the English title if they beat Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend. However, Tuchel feels his side can beat anyone if they play their best.

What has been said?

Chelsea have already beaten City in one knock-out competition this season, defeating them in the FA Cup semi-finals, and Tuchel was asked if this gave his side the upper hand as they prepare to face Pep Guardiola's men once again.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Tuchel said: "No, but it gives us a good feeling, and confidence that we played that semi-final on the edge, we used it because like I said before, I will say it always, for me Bayern Munich with Manchester City are the benchmark and we wanted to close the gap to Man City."

The Blues were clearly the better team in their second leg clash with Real, and other than the goals scored by Timo Werner and Mason Mount, had several other great chances to score and win the game more comfortably.

Tuchel said: "This one match in the semi-final, we did that with a very impressive performance and we need that again. It gave us belief and confidence for every game after that because it is the highest level you can face."

What next for Chelsea?

By a quirk of the football calendar, this Saturday will see a preview of the Champions League final as Chelsea travel to City for a Premier League fixture, in which three points will earn Guardiola's side their third domestic title in four seasons.

The following Saturday they face Leicester in the FA Cup final, while they will also attempt to finish in the Premier League top four amid a competitive race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Plenty of focus will now be on May 29 however, when City and Chelsea meet in the Champions League final in Istanbul, as the Manchester club aim to win the trophy for the first time, while the Londoners look to emulate their triumph of 2012.

Further Reading