Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sparked curiosity when visible scratches were seen on his face following a dramatic draw against Feyenoord.

The Premier League champions, desperate to end their winless run, appeared to be cruising to victory with a 3-0 lead. However, a late collapse in the final 15 minutes saw them settle for a draw, further compounding their frustrations.

Guardiola, addressing the media after the match, drew attention for the marks on his nose and head. When questioned, he explained that the injuries were accidental but lightheartedly joked about wanting to harm himself. “My finger, here,” Guardiola said, pointing to his nose. “My nail. I want to harm myself.”

As Guardiola left the press conference, a reporter offered words of encouragement, saying, “It will be okay.”

However, things remain far from okay for City, who now face the daunting challenge of an away game at league leaders Liverpool this weekend. Guardiola stressed the need for his side to regroup and regain their form ahead of the critical clash at Anfield.

Reflecting on the Feyenoord game, Guardiola expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to secure a win. “Three episodes didn’t allow us to win, what we needed,” he said. “The game was good. We scored three, could have scored more, and did everything, but in the end, we gave away the first goal and lost stability.”

He continued, “It’s not about running or commitment, but in football, you have to do it in the key moments. The second goal, it hits the post—what can you do? We need to rest for a day or two and prepare for Anfield.”

When asked about lifting the team’s morale, Guardiola acknowledged his responsibility. “We have to, I have to—it’s my job,” he said. “We played a good game but couldn’t control the last minutes.”

Should City lose to Liverpool this weekend, they risk falling 11 points behind in the Premier League title race. After the trip to Merseyside, City will host Nottingham Forest before traveling to face Crystal Palace, a schedule that leaves little room for error.

Arne Slot continues to excel as Liverpool manager, and now he faces one of football’s ultimate challenges: taking on the European powerhouse, Real Madrid.

The Dutchman acknowledges the resilience of the reigning champions, a team renowned for its ability to turn games around under pressure.

Liverpool currently lead the Premier League, with only Nottingham Forest managing to take three points from them in domestic play this season.

In Europe, the Reds have been flawless, defeating AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen to sit atop the Champions League standings with a perfect record.

However, a major test looms with the arrival of Real Madrid at Anfield. The 15-time European champions, led by the competition’s most decorated manager, Carlo Ancelotti, have built a reputation for always finding a way to win. Their resilience was on full display in previous campaigns, including their 2022 triumph, where they defeated Liverpool in the final.

Reflecting on Madrid’s unmatched tenacity, Slot said, “At my former club, I often mentioned how Madrid always finds a way to win. They have so much quality, and even when games are tough, they still manage to secure victory. That’s one of the reasons they’ve won this tournament so many times.”

Slot emphasized the importance of staying vigilant until the final whistle, especially against Madrid. “If we’re fortunate enough to lead by a goal or more, we know the game isn’t over until it’s officially done. It’s always like this in football, but it feels especially true when facing Real Madrid,” he added.

Liverpool’s last encounter with Real Madrid at Anfield, during the 2022-23 season, serves as a stark reminder of their opponent’s determination. Despite an early two-goal lead, Liverpool fell 5-2 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate in the last-16 tie.

The Reds haven’t beaten Madrid since 2009, enduring two final defeats among eight winless encounters. Slot has the opportunity to achieve something Jurgen Klopp couldn’t—defeating Real Madrid as Liverpool manager.

This season’s Real Madrid is navigating changes, including the arrival of Kylian Mbappé and the absence of injured star Vinicius Jr. Despite their formidable squad, Madrid have lost two of their four Champions League games this season. Jude Bellingham, who was heavily linked with Liverpool before his move to Madrid, will make his Anfield debut tonight.

Bellingham, however, won’t face close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold at full strength. The Liverpool right-back, recovering from a hamstring injury, isn’t fit to start but could feature later in the game.

When asked about the possibility of Alexander-Arnold joining Madrid next season, given his contract situation at Liverpool, Bellingham chose to remain diplomatic.

“He’s a Liverpool player, and it would be disrespectful to come to his home, especially with a big game ahead, and comment on something that could be misconstrued,” said Bellingham, deflecting speculation about his England teammate’s future.

Rodri, known for his immense influence on the field, has made history as the first-ever Manchester City player to win the Ballon d’Or and Spain’s first winner since 1960.

The Spanish midfielder, Rodrigo Hernández, has consistently been a powerhouse in midfield for both Manchester City and Spain’s national team, recently leading Spain to a European Championship victory.

He entered the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris as a frontrunner, surpassing top contender Vinicius.

Rodri’s role as a midfield anchor is crucial for his team’s success. While he excels defensively, particularly with high-pressure tactics, he is equally valuable in his offensive contributions as a primary playmaker and strategist for City.

His skill in controlling the game’s tempo and orchestrating plays cements him as one of the most pivotal players in modern football.

Rodri’s Remarkable Stats Highlight His Impact

Rodri’s influence becomes even clearer through his impressive stats: since 2023, he has accumulated more trophies with Manchester City and Spain than losses. Over the past year, he’s faced only four defeats, with a striking pattern—every City loss this year coincided with his absence due to injury. This further proves how essential Rodri is to the success of the Cityzens and their ability to secure victories.

With this prestigious win, Rodri not only adds another accolade to his collection but also solidifies his position among the all-time greats in football.