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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola’s Rage In Monaco: Spanish Referees, VAR Drama, And Haaland’s Fury

Another champions league night, another dose of controversy.
this time, it’s manchester city in the spotlight — and pep guardiola is not happy.

after a dramatic 2-2 draw away to monaco, it wasn’t the goals or the tactics everyone was talking about — it was the referee. specifically, spanish official jesus gil manzano, whose late penalty decision saw city drop two crucial points in group play. and guardiola? well, he didn’t hold back.


Controversial Penalty Spoils City’s Night

city were coasting. erling haaland had bagged a clinical brace. the midfield ticked. the defence looked solid. then, late in the game, chaos.

a high boot from nico gonzalez on eric dier was flagged after a long var review. penalty given. dier scored. monaco celebrated. city fumed.

guardiola’s bench exploded. red cards were flashed. and just like that, what looked like a professional away win became another frustrating european away draw.


Pep’s Post-Match Swipe At ‘Spanish Referees’

pep didn’t name names. but the message was crystal clear.

“nothing to say to spanish referees,” he said, sharply.

subtle? maybe. loaded? absolutely.

this wasn’t the first time guardiola has clashed with officiating in europe — and when the referee is from his own country, the sting hits a little harder.

pep went on to praise his team’s performance, highlighting the positives: “we played a really good game… many things were good… we conceded almost nothing.” but that bitter finish clearly overshadowed the night.


Haaland: Two Goals, Zero Satisfaction

if pep was angry, haaland was livid.

despite scoring twice, the norwegian star stormed off the pitch at full time, visibly frustrated by the dropped points. his powerful performance — featuring two clinical finishes and relentless pressure — deserved more.

and he knew it.

his reaction summed up the mood. manchester city had dominated, hit the crossbar twice, and controlled the game. but one whistle changed everything.
AS Monaco v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2


What This Means For The Sports Market

this isn’t just about manchester city. it’s about how officiating — and var — is becoming an increasingly controversial topic in the sports market and among fans worldwide.

every big champions league night now comes with one guarantee: drama.

for brands, media, and clubs navigating the sports market, it’s clear that narratives off the pitch — referee decisions, post-match soundbites, player reactions — are as crucial as the stats and scorelines.

pep’s frustration becomes headline gold. haaland’s fury drives engagement. and blogs like sports market international help tell the full story — the passion, the politics, and the plot twists.


Final Whistle: Another Chapter In City’s European Saga

guardiola’s quest for another champions league title remains full of drama.
a penalty here, a red card there — city can never seem to take the quiet road in europe.

but if there’s one thing this team has proven time and again, it’s resilience.

there are more games to play, more goals for haaland to score, and probably, more referees to frustrate pep.

and here at sports market international, the best sport blog for all your champions league twists and turns, we’ll be watching — and writing — every step of the way.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ahmet Cakar Urges Galatasaray To Sell Osimhen If €200 Million Bid Arrives

Victor Osimhen celebrating after scoring for Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League

Turkish football analyst Ahmet Cakar has suggested that Galatasaray should consider selling Victor Osimhen if a substantial offer — such as €200 million — comes in from a major European club.

However, the pundit also expressed doubt that the Nigeria international would agree to leave, given his strong connection to the Turkish champions and his earlier decision to reject a far more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.

The 26-year-old striker turned down a move to the Middle East in the final days of the summer transfer window, opting instead to sign with Galatasaray — where he earns around €21 million annually. His loyalty to the club has made him a fan favourite, and his performances have only strengthened his status as a global superstar.

Osimhen has been in sensational form, currently sitting as the Champions League top scorer with six goals in three matches, sparking renewed transfer interest from clubs across Europe.

Speaking to GsGazette, Cakar shared his blunt view on the matter:

“If any European team offers €200 million for Osimhen, Galatasaray should sell him. If they don’t, they’re a sucker. In return, maybe Osimhen won’t leave. He turned down twice the salary in Saudi Arabia. He loves Galatasaray like Metin Oktay.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona are reportedly monitoring the situation closely as they prepare for life after Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the club this summer.

Reports from Turkey suggest that Galatasaray would not block Osimhen’s potential exit but would only entertain offers of at least €150 million, double the €75 million they paid Napoli to secure his signature.

With Osimhen’s goal-scoring exploits lighting up Europe and his value soaring, the coming transfer window could see one of the biggest football stories of 2026 unfold — depending on whether loyalty or legacy wins out.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Arrigo Sacchi Defends Ivan Juric After Heated Clash With Ademola Lookman In Champions League Win

Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric arguing on the touchline during Atalanta’s Champions League win over Marseille

Football legend Arrigo Sacchi has stepped into the spotlight to defend Atalanta manager Ivan Juric following his fiery altercation with Ademola Lookman during their dramatic 1–0 Champions League victory over Marseille.

The match, which ended with Lazar Samardzic’s last-minute winner, was overshadowed by a tense moment between Lookman and Juric after the Nigerian was substituted in the second half with the score still level.

As Lookman made his way off the pitch, visibly frustrated, Juric appeared to grab his arm in an exchange that quickly drew attention from staff and cameras alike. While social media erupted in criticism of the coach’s approach, one of football’s greatest tacticians saw things differently.

Sacchi Backs Juric’s Reaction

In his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport, the two-time Champions League-winning AC Milan legend expressed sympathy for Juric, insisting he understood the emotional context behind the confrontation.

“I was sorry to see the argument between him and Lookman after the striker’s substitution,” Sacchi wrote.

“I tried to put myself in Juric’s shoes, and I concluded that I would’ve reacted in that way as well.”

Sacchi emphasized that, in football, discipline and respect are crucial for harmony within a team, adding that a coach’s authority must remain intact even when players disagree with tactical choices.

“The Coach Must Be Respected”

Sacchi continued:

“Players don’t always understand that the coach always needs to be respected, even if you don’t agree with their decisions.”

The former Italy boss expressed confidence that the matter would soon be settled behind closed doors:

“I hope that this incident will be clarified quickly, and that they draw a line under it for the good of the group.”

Fans Divided Over the Incident

Reactions have been mixed. While some supporters agree with Sacchi’s stance that Lookman overreacted, others believe Juric’s physical approach crossed a line.

The incident has reignited conversations about player-coach relationships and how passion, pressure, and respect intertwine in elite football environments.

For Lookman, who has been one of Atalanta’s standout players in recent seasons, the hope is that both parties can move forward in unity as the club continues its impressive Champions League run.

At Sports Market International, we’ll be watching closely — because in modern football, emotions can sometimes score louder than goals.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Erling Haaland Sets Another UCL Record As Manchester City Crush Dortmund 4-1

Erling Haaland celebrating after scoring for Manchester City against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League

Erling Haaland Has Done It Again! The Manchester City goal machine continues to make the UEFA Champions League his personal playground — this time, setting yet another record that places him above some of football’s all-time greats.

During City’s 4-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, Haaland found the net against his former club to become the first player ever to score in five consecutive Champions League matches for three different clubs.

The Norwegian striker first achieved this rare streak with Red Bull Salzburg (2019/20), repeated it with Borussia Dortmund (2020/21), and has now done it once more with Manchester City (2024/25).

A Night Of Records And Ruthlessness

City were in full control from start to finish. Phil Foden stole the show with a brilliant brace, scoring twice on either side of Haaland’s strike. Rayan Cherki added a classy fourth, sealing a comfortable victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

For Haaland, it was business as usual — his 18th goal in just 14 matches this season, keeping him well on pace to replicate his jaw-dropping debut campaign in England, where he bagged 52 goals in 53 games.

Haaland’s Consistency Is Beyond Ordinary

What makes Haaland’s achievement special isn’t just the goals — it’s the consistency across clubs and leagues. To deliver at this level for Salzburg, Dortmund, and now City shows a level of adaptability and excellence rarely seen in football.

Even legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi never managed this particular feat — proof that Haaland isn’t just chasing records, he’s rewriting them.

City’s Champions League Ambition Grows Stronger

With this win, Manchester City continue to flex their European dominance. Guardiola’s men look sharper, hungrier, and even more determined to retain their UCL crown. And with Haaland in this kind of form, few teams in Europe can stop them.

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