The football comes thick and fast as we roll into February, with much to discuss, we sat down with our Global Football Ambassador Sergio Agüero to discuss last week’s Champions League tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid, City’s overall form and the Premier League landscape.
For more insights, check out our expert picks on the Champions League, our predictions on the remainder of the 2025 EPL season, and bet on these major soccer tournaments on Stake Sportsbook.
Thoughts on Manchester City v Real Madrid
There have been multiple games (Real Madrid, Man Utd, Sporting, Arsenal, Brentford etc) this season where Man City have capitulated after conceding a goal, will this problem last and why is it happening?
Look, there’s been a lot of injuries, and a good number of the defenders are playing at their limit to keep the pace. They can’t be getting enough rest. With Rodri out, knowing how pivotal he is for the backline, that has brewed the perfect storm. These types of situations can happen. City has been known for their consistency for many years, so it’s so much more noticeable when there are defensive shortcomings or we don’t leave with a clean scoreline. I trust that Pep will be able to find a path forward.
Vinicius Jr got the Man of the Match award – do you think UEFA awarded this to him so they could get interactions on social media?
I don’t think so. Vinicius’ performance stood out from the rest, and that’s the most probable reason.
What did you think of the tifo/banner before the game? Was it justified because Real Madrid didn’t come to the Ballon d’Or ceremony?
I understand how City’s fans must feel. It was a way to show their support for Rodri and really drive through their displeasure with Madrid’s absence at the gala.
What percentage chance would you give Man City of going through this tie, now they have to go to the Bernabeu 3-2 down?
It’s not about percentages. When two big teams clash, anything can happen. I think the series is still open. The deciders will be held in Bernabéu, true, that’s always a tricky stage… but nothing is said and done yet.
That’s not what I said. There are really people out there who make it their business to conjure things up like that… and others who broadcast that stuff without even checking whether what they are saying is true or not. I don’t think it’s a good use of my time to address this every time it happens. It’s really tiring, but that’s how things are.
Haaland has been criticised for not performing in the big games – did he silence the critics in the first leg?
I always said that you should never underestimate the pro strikers. Haaland’s tally speaks for itself. And so those two goals against Real Madrid.
Manchester City Insights
What did you make of the whole Arsenal ‘stay humble’ jibes at Erling Haaland?
I think it has been blown out of proportion. It’s part of the trade. But what happens on the field should stay there. It’s part of the folklore of football, somewhat controversial but it’s expected as well. I think there’s little reason to be overly dramatic about this.
What do you think of the Arsenal vs Man City rivalry? Is there hatred, or does it feel all a bit staged?
Rivalry, for sure. But hatred seems like the wrong word to me. There’s a foundation of mutual respect – both are great teams fighting for their rightful place. It’s a tough competition, but big teams come with great rivalry.
What did you think of Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicking Haaland’s meditation celebration?
I’ve said so before. Personally, I am not for it, but these are things that come out on the playing field. It can be the case with the younger players, for sure. I guess it’s up to the more senior ones to explain there’s lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
Is the FA Cup the best chance of Man City winning silverware this season?
I always say that it is important for City to lift a cup every season. It’s true though, it’s seems like chances are slimmer today. We are in the race for the FA Cup and we’ll aim for it as long we are able.
After knocking out Liverpool, could Plymouth Argyle be another Wigan in the FA Cup?
I hope not. The FA Cup usually comes with a few surprises like Plymouth Argyle’s. All the games are tougher than they may have seen before setting foot on the playing field. But I hope that City will play a major role in the resolution.
Rodri is in Man City’s UCL squad, is there a worry that the club might be rushing him back from an ACL injury?
If he was put on the roster, there must be a reason. Hard to conceive it’s being rushed. The physios are responsible for that decision, and there’s the say-so of the coach and the player as well. Whether Rodri is fit for prime time or not, they would know best.
Does Phil Foden need to step up more in games this season? Is there a standard now he’s the PFA Player of the Year?
Phil had a spectacular campaign last season, City was in great form altogether. Though I don’t believe it’s about whether a player steps up or not, it’s about the whole team doing so. This is a collective game and for someone to stand out, you need a whole team to allow that to happen.
Is Morgan Rogers exactly what Man City need in their midfield right now? A young, physical box to box runner?
Morgan Rogers is a very fine player. But rarely does a single player make such a large difference. I’ll insist on this matter: teams are made or broken by the collective ability of its members. City showed this for many years, with a consistency across seasons that allowed us to win many Premier Leagues. Is now one of the lows? Yes, of course. But I trust that Pep will know how to turn it around and fix the course.
Do you think Man City can beat Liverpool next week? And could this be the start of some problems with Liverpool’s title challenge?
Now that’s a game to see, with a lot at stake. It will be a great match. City will never stop fighting and we’ll be looking for the win every minute. Beyond the results, this will make this game a sight to see.
Premier League Insights
Will Arsenal or Liverpool win the Premier League?
Many times the Premier League has defied predictions, to the very last leg. I don’t think this time it’ll be any different. Liverpool has built up a fair advantage, and injuries have taken a toll for Arsenal’s offensive line. But there is still a long way to go.
Do you expect Man City to beat Nottingham Forest or Chelsea to a top four position?
I think City is very likely to be in the top four. A place in the Champions League is something to be hotly contested, and City will fight until the end.
Liverpool lost to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, is this a positive for Arne Slot to focus on the Champions League and Premier League now?
I’m sure they can’t be happy to be eliminated. But if there is something that they gained from that defeat, it’s that they won’t be stretched so thin to battle the fronts of the Premier League and the Champions League.
Does Darwin Nunez deserve more chances in the Liverpool team? Do you like his style as a striker?
I always said that I think that he is a very complete striker. Bigger teams have more competition to be in the main squad. Nothing to be surprised about. Taking advantage of those key opportunities to earn that place is the heart of the matter.
Kai Havertz is at the heart of goalscoring frustrations for Arsenal, do the Gunners need to sign a striker in the summer?
I mentioned that Arsenal is having a lot of issues with injuries. Saka was sidelined, Gabriel likewise. Recently Martinelli got hurt and now Havertz. Their main strikers are out, and it’s reflected on their goal making capacity. Their bench is not deep enough, for sure.
Julian Alvarez is on fire at Atletico Madrid, would he be a great solution to Arsenal’s problems?
Juliàn is a great player, happy to see him having a great season at Atleti. Great strikers always lift teams up. But it’d be out of line to say that all of Arsenal’s problems would be solved by a single player. It’ll be up to Arteta, not me, to think about all the elements to a solution.
Is Alexander Isak the best striker in the Premier League currently? How impressed are you with his ability?
Alexander is having a great season. He’s become a key part of Newcastle, in a large part because of his ability to score. But to say ifhe is the best striker in the Premier League… it takes more than one good season to achieve that title.
Do you expect to see Ruben Amorim as the Man United manager by the end of the season?
Why wouldn’t he? It is true that many managers have had stints at the helm of Man Utd, but they’ve all had several seasons to under their belt. It is difficult to make an evaluation for a single season.
Should Alejandro Garnacho leave the club to progress in his career?
Garnacho has to make that decision. He is in a big club, and only he can answer what’s best for his future.
Do you think we can see the best of Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa?
I was surprised by the news because I don’t know the full extent of what transpired there. The times I faced him as a rival, he proved to be a great attacker. Maybe you need that kind of change to get back to your best form.
Is Lamine Yamal already one of the best players in Europe?
Seeing his age, his performance, and the level of competitiveness he manages, he’s surely among the best.
Will he be the closest thing we see to Messi, based on the early trajectory of his career?
Lamine is a great player. He’s shown as much, despite his age. Both at Barcelona and at the national level. I think we should enjoy the football he plays and the amazement he’s able to provide. But I don’t think comparisons are really valuable.
Messi had a lot of attention at the Super Bowl, has moving to America been the best way to end his career?
I said it before: Leo’s arrival at the MLS boosted the North American league’s profile. And he looks very happy there too.
He has always taken great care of his form, Cristiano is very deliberate about it… and he’s very competitive too. Those traits together make him the kind of person who is very happy to continue playing and scoring.
Are you happy for Neymar now he’s gone back to his boyhood club, Santos? Could he still have played in the Champions League?
When the conditions are met for a return like Ney’s to Santos, it feels natural. He looked happy to have made this choice. If that’s really the case… I’m happy for him too. I wish him the best.http://Consultation Visit:
