Pep Guardiola was critical of his players after Manchester City's narrow win in the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola is always a headline in every press conference he attends. He normally backs his players no matter what, but his tone was different after Manchester City’s narrow FA Cup win over Salford City.

The FA Cup is the oldest competition in the world for a reason; there is always room for exciting matches between teams from very different levels. This time an emphatic score was expected, with a powerful Premier League side facing a League Two team.

It was only a 2-0 victory, which prompted the criticism. Guardiola said he wasn’t pleased with how they performed: “We didn’t read the spaces. It depends on how they defend it and we didn’t read it. That is the reason why the match was boring. The only good news is that we went through. That’s all.”

Guardiola says the calendar isn’t an excuse

Salford City currently play in the fourth tier of English soccer. The most dominant club in the country in recent years shouldn’t have had problems posting a big score. That looked possible when Manchester City opened the scoring in the 6th minute with an own goal.

It’s true that Guardiola named a lineup that included nine changes compared to their most recent match against Fulham in the Premier League last Wednesday. Even so, Marc Guehi’s goal to extend the margin wasn’t enough to please the manager.

Guardiola also said that the short turnaround isn’t an excuse: “It would be easy for me to say mentally we’re exhausted, we’re tired, that it has been a tough two or three weeks for many reasons. But it’s our job. The calendar demands we play every few days. We just didn’t read where the spaces were and everything was flat, slow and not good.”

Manchester City’s bright note

There was one positive from the match for the Spanish manager in the return of John Stones to the team. The defender had been out for over two months with a thigh muscle injury.

Guardiola was cautious about his inclusion in future lineups: “He’s back. He still needs time; he’s not the John Stones we knew, but his body language was really good in terms of pressing and aggression. It’s important that he played 65 minutes.”

Kylian Mbappé may have a new teammate in Liverpool star who has always desired to play for Real Madrid.

Most players want to play for Real Madrid at some point in their careers. It’s common to see huge names willing to change clubs even if they are at great institutions, just like Trent Alexander-Arnold or Kylian Mbappé. Apparently, there’s now another Liverpool star who could be thinking about the idea.

The protagonist of the story is Dominik Szoboszlai. What makes it more noteworthy is that it isn’t a traditional transfer rumor that always flies around. It was Marco Rossi, the Hungarian national team manager, who told this story in an interview with WinWin, as cited by Diario AS.

Rossi was clear about the bond he has with Szoboszlai and spoke about his true feelings regarding the Spanish club: “For the close and direct relationship I have with him since he started playing football as a kid, Real Madrid has always been his dream.”

Rossi on the likelihood of the transfer

Liverpool have had an inconsistent season so far. Their strong Champions League group-stage performance, which put them directly into the round of 16, helped offset some poor domestic results, but sitting sixth in the Premier League is concerning.

In the context of doubts over Arne Slot remaining in England, Szoboszlai has arguably been the brightest player in the team. That’s why Rossi believes a transfer to the Madrid club does not look very likely.

Rossi also said: “I don’t know if he can take that step. It’s his decision and his club’s too. I don’t absolutely rule out the possibility of him staying at Liverpool and renewing his contract there, especially because he’s highly valued by the club. He’s very important to them. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Szoboszlai’s season with Liverpool

Szoboszlai will be unavailable for Liverpool in the Premier League for the next three matches after the incident that ended in the defeat to Manchester City. A foul on Erling Haaland with no goalkeeper in front led to a red card and his suspension.

The unfair part is that minutes earlier he had scored a phenomenal free kick to put his team ahead. It was a goal reminiscent of another important strike against Arsenal. His season totals 35 appearances with nine goals.

Barcelona submitted a complaint about the referee of the Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona was clearly the inferior team last Thursday in their visit to the Spanish capital. The 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid left many areas to improve for the players, but the referees were in the spotlight. Today the club formally complained after the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal match.

The referee of the match was Juan Martínez Munuera, who did not have a good performance according to Barcelona. Their biggest complaint is the disallowed goal to Pau Cubarsí, while also claiming he did not apply the same criteria when he showed a red card to Eric García for a similar foul that Giuliano Simeone committed earlier.

This statement included five points the club wanted to highlight. Number one was the lack of coherence in disciplinary decisions. It explains: “This disparity creates a sense of a double standard, which is incompatible with the principles of fairness, equality, and legal certainty that should govern the competition.”

More of Barcelona’s complaint

Among the five points the club’s advisors presented to the Real Federación Española de Fútbol was one titled “contradictory criteria in hand plays.” It states: “The club highlights the incoherence in the interpretation of handballs inside the box. The lack of uniformity reinforces the arbitrariness of the application of the rules.”

The third point refers to a long list of mistakes against their side over time: “Beyond isolated cases, Barcelona sees the recurrence of flagrant mistakes throughout the season, many of them decisive for the club. This accumulation directly affects the integrity of the competition.”

The fourth focused on the VAR action. They described: “The club expressed reasonable doubts about the use and application of the technology, especially in marginal decisions that have not been supported by conclusive technical explanations. It also denounces the lack of transparency in the publication of the audio recordings.”

Barcelona’s last complaint about VAR

The use of the tool sparked much debate because it took six minutes for the referee to disallow Cubarsí’s goal. This was the final point in the long complaint the club presented.

They wrote the following about this controversy: “Barcelona questions the lack of a clear and coherent criterion for sending referees to the field to review plays on the monitor, which contributes to a perception of insecurity and inequality in decisions.”

Frenkie de Jong commented on the Pau Cubarsí's disallowed goal in hard Barcelona's defeat in Copa del Rey

Barcelona has too many defensive issues to compete with the best teams in Europe. Thursday’s embarrassing defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals made that clear. However, a disallowed goal by Pau Cubarsí sparked strong criticism from Frenkie de Jong.

The first half saw only one team on the field, with Atlético Madrid scoring all four goals before the break. A comeback seemed possible early in the second half when Cubarsí scored, but a VAR intervention denied that possibility after a six-minute wait.

De Jong had a clear response when asked about the offside images that were shown: “If what was called on the field is the image I saw, and if it’s not AI, because these days you never know, then it’s a scandal. It’s very clear.”

Joan Laporta on the referees

There were many opinions about the controversial decision. Even if the outcome was unlikely to change, reactions were widespread. Joan Laporta was among the most critical in an online post.

Tot el meu suport al Hansi Flick, als jugadors, al Deco i el seu equip. Amb la força de tots els culers estic convençut que tenim una oportunitat històrica per realitzar una gran remuntada a l’Spotify Camp Nou el proper 3 de març.
Malauradament ahir vam patir tot un seguit…

— Joan Laporta Estruch (@JoanLaportaFCB) February 13, 2026

The president, who has resigned to run again in the March 15 elections, urged fans to keep believing in the players because they can overturn the score, while also denouncing the current refereeing situation.

Laporta wrote: “The goal wrongfully disallowed to Cubarsí reminds us of Lamine Yamal’s in Anoeta. Nothing is innocent. That’s why we must fight against everything and everybody.”

Laporta complained about Atlético Madrid’s pitch

The presidential candidate also showed support for the team as he prepared for the election, and he criticized the condition of Atlético Madrid’s pitch for the match.

Laporta said in his message: “Unfortunately, yesterday we suffered a series of adversities, from the pitch in poor condition to a wrongfully disallowed goal that prevented us from starting the comeback that would have been possible with everyone’s support.”

Pep Guardiola could lose Rodri after the FA charged the Manchester City player

Manchester City have closed a perfect stretch of three matches in which they moved to the Carabao Cup final, defeated Liverpool in dramatic fashion, and beat Fulham to cut Arsenal’s lead in Premier League to four points. However, Pep Guardiola may lose Rodri to a suspension for something that happened just before that run.

Guardiola’s side won their three recent matches, but before those there was a thrilling tie with Tottenham that left plenty to discuss. After a highly debated goal by Dominik Solanke, Rodri complained about a foul on Marc Guehi. Although the Spanish midfielder was furious at the time, the possible punishment stems from comments he made in the post-match interview.

His remarks prompted a response from the FA: “Rodri acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.”

Rodri’s comment that may get him in trouble

In the statement from the English FA, there is no confirmation of the exact quote that triggered the action. “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me, honestly, it’s not fair,” may be the phrase, according to Sky Sports.

Rodri went on to describe the alleged Solanke-on-Guehi foul: “It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s the first goal they score; maybe if they don’t score this goal we win the match. He kicked the leg, it was so clear. It’s two, three games in a row and I don’t know why.”

For the Spanish midfielder it wasn’t just one mistake: “It’s one match and another and another – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees, I respect their job massively. But they have to pay attention to these things.”

Rodri’s potential sanction

The recent communication does not mean Rodri will automatically be suspended. The rules do not establish a fixed penalty for comments of this nature, which means Guardiola could still count on him. The player has until next Wednesday to provide a response.

There is one incident that could be referenced. Liverpool’s former coach Jürgen Klopp was banned for two matches two years ago for questioning the neutrality of referee Paul Tierney when he said he had “something against them.”

Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa responded to Hansi Flick's comment after Barcelona's defeat in Copa del Rey

Thursday produced a historic night in Spanish soccer that curiously did not involve Real Madrid or Álvaro Arbeloa. However, the manager became the focus of a follow-up story after answering a question about Barcelona’s 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals with an ironic comment aimed at Hansi Flick.

It was the German manager who landed the first jab before the match. He was asked about his team’s easy path in the competition, which included clubs from lower divisions. Flick answered sarcastically, “ask Real Madrid,” reminding the questioner that Real Madrid had lost to Real Albacete in the quarterfinals.

Arbeloa used a journalist’s question about Barcelona appearing more defeatable at today’s press conference with perfect timing. The manager delivered a short but clear message directed at Flick: “There’s nothing to say about the match. Ask Barcelona and Flick.”

Arbeloa’s approach to internal competitiveness at Real Madrid

Real Madrid has long been the club where many great players end up at some point in their careers. Although players like Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius seem like obvious starters, that is not necessarily how the manager views things.

Arbeloa stressed the importance of having everyone ready for any match. At a club of this size, the differences between players are often smaller than at other teams.

The manager said, “The 11 I put on the field are the best for the match. Then I have 15 more players. As a friend says, ‘here the worst is as good as the rest.’ Everyone knows opportunities will come, and the players are working hard. I’m very lucky. I like everyone to feel important.”

Arbeloa on the criticism

Being at arguably the biggest club in the world comes with many responsibilities. So far, Real Madrid’s performances have not met fans’ expectations. The manager addressed the criticism he faces when the team is not good enough.

Arbeloa said his experience as a player at the club helps him handle the voices pointing out mistakes: “I’m new in this chair, but not at Real Madrid. Very few things surprise me.”

A Barcelona player could become Christian Pulisic's teammate at Milan in the following transfer window.

Milan trails its archrival Inter in Serie A but has shown clear improvement from last season, and the club is already planning how to strengthen the squad next year. With ambitions to climb back to the top domestically and in Europe, the Italian side is targeting affordable, young options to add depth. Christian Pulisic could soon have a new teammate from Barcelona.

The name linked to a move to Italy is Gerard Martín, 23. The center back has played more minutes under Hansi Flick than many expected, and that exposure has drawn attention from clubs across Europe. Scouts have noted his calmness on the ball and his capacity to step into a starting role despite still being relatively young.

Martín is a left-footed center back, a profile that is hard to find and valued for balance in build-up play down the left side. In addition to his technique and experience at a major club, he can also cover left back, which increases his appeal to teams seeking tactical flexibility.

Martín’s season with Barcelona

Martín was not expected to get many minutes given Iñigo Martínez’s presence and the club’s plans to sign reinforcements in that area. But the older defender’s departure opened a spot in the lineup and gave Martín a real chance to prove himself.

Even though Barcelona has not been known for rock-solid defending this season, Martín’s involvement has been higher than projected. He has played 19 La Liga matches, eight Champions League appearances, and three Copa del Rey matches.

After winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España last season, he added another Supercopa de España this season when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the final.

Martín’s potential price tag

There is no certainty about what AC Milan would pay if they make an offer. Market estimates put his value around €25 million (almost $30 million), which could be acceptable to Barcelona if they secure a replacement first.

Martín was on Wolverhampton’s radar last transfer window, when the English club offered €15 million; at that time the player declined the move. Everton is also reported to be interested.

Julián Álvarez was subject of a mysterious message from Barcelona president Rafael Yuste

Barcelona are looking for a striker who can replace Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker is 37 years old, which means they need to find a successor soon. The player who best fits the profile is Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez.

The Argentine forward was not heavily pursued when he left Manchester City for Spain. However, he has since become an ideal candidate. The main issue is his price tag of around €100 million, which Barcelona cannot afford. For most clubs, that would make the transfer impossible, but interim president Rafael Yuste left the door open.

Yuste left a hard-to-read message when talking to the press in the Spanish capital: “There has already been some rapport. We have known everyone for years, and so one day, as always, it will be very nice.”

Álvarez’s season with Atlético Madrid

Álvarez’s first season with Atlético Madrid was outstanding. He scored 17 goals in 37 La Liga matches, finishing with 29 goals in 57 appearances across all competitions. His most notable moment, unfortunately, was the penalty that was ruled a miss for a slight double touch in the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Madrid.

This season, his performance has not been as strong. After a promising start with the team, this year has not matched his usual standards. With only seven La Liga goals in 23 matches, the reduced output of the current lineup has affected his numbers.

Despite this clear dip in form, Barcelona’s interest remains intact. If the price is right for both sides, Álvarez could be a strong addition for the Catalan side in the next transfer window.

Financial strategy behind a potential move

Barcelona’s ability to pursue a high-profile signing will largely depend on its financial planning over the coming months. The club continues to operate under strict spending limits imposed by La Liga’s financial regulations, meaning any major investment would likely require player sales to balance the books.

Club executives are evaluating their wage structure and potential departures as they prepare for the next transfer window. Any serious approach for Álvarez would need to fit within those financial restrictions before negotiations could realistically move forward.

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski were the important topics for sport director Deco

Barcelona is in a strong position to repeat the excellent season they had last year. They lead La Liga by one point over Real Madrid, are through to the Champions League round of 16, and are competing with Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Perhaps less visible than others, Deco has been one of the figures behind the club’s rebuild. He recently talked about the importance of Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.

The former Portuguese midfielder now works as the sporting director of the institution, playing a key role in transfer decisions and contract renewals. He addressed several topics in an interview with Sport, including Rashford’s future.

Deco said: “We are happy with Rashford. It’s not easy coming here. He’s a footballer who has played at a very high level, with huge expectations like at Manchester United. He then had six months with Aston Villa, where he did a good job. I know they wanted to keep him, but he just wanted to come here, and that’s positive.”

About Rashford’s potential stay at the club, he added: “We have been able to get him on loan. Coming here and reducing his salary to make it happen was a demonstration that he really wanted to come. We are very happy about it. It’s a player that gives us a lot.”

Deco was noncommittal with Robert Lewandowski

The other question mark for next season is also in attack. Lewandowski has been outstanding since arriving at the club in a difficult period, making his goals even more important in helping the team return to a competitive level after years of instability.

As the striker’s contract runs until the end of this season, the possibility of his departure becomes more realistic. Deco praised him as “the best number 9 of the past 10 years, there isn’t anyone like him,” before casting doubt on a contract extension.

On that topic, there was no definitive answer: “I think time will tell. Robert has his personal plans too, and from there we’ll see. Before that we also need to know more about how we stand with Financial Fair Play. We must clarify the future of the team and we aren’t there yet. When we know everything we can do, we will address every topic, like with Robert.”

Barcelona has clear needs for the transfer window

Even as one of the best teams in the world, there is still room for improvement. The striker position would need reinforcement if Rashford and Lewandowski leave, while center back is another area that could be strengthened to maintain competitiveness.

Deco confirmed those priorities when asked about those positions: “Yes, the idea goes that way, but sometimes things surprise you. I always say that four months in soccer are like four years in life. One month ago we won the Spanish Super Cup and it already feels like we haven’t won anything.”

Raphinha may not be ready to return for Barcelona after Hansi Flick's comments

Barcelona has had one of the most devastating attacks in the world since last season. Hansi Flick has built a very dangerous side that relies on Raphinha as a key creator, scorer and provider of assists. However, he may not be ready to return for the Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid.

The German manager spoke to the media in a press conference about several topics, including the Brazilian’s absence. Even if he didn’t confirm anything, the chances of him being available on Thursday appear low.

Flick said: “It’s about how he feels. You must take care of your body, that’s what he’s doing. We must support him. Step by step. We must take care of him because he’s a player that always gives it all, he plays with intensity and when he notices something we must be careful. It’s not that I like it, because we need everybody, but it can happen during the season.”

Raphinha’s injury timeline

Qualifying directly for the Champions League round of 16 was huge for Barcelona considering they would be competing next week if they hadn’t. However, they still have a midweek obstacle in Atletico Madrid for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals in the Spanish capital.

Raphinha’s injury isn’t serious, as it is only a minor muscle issue. The problem with this match is that he hasn’t had enough time to recover. He picked it up in Barcelona’s victory over Elche on January 31, which places his absence within a normal recovery period.

The Brazilian then missed the Cup victory over Albacete and the La Liga triumph over Real Mallorca. With the team’s next match in doubt after Flick’s comments, a potential return could be next Monday in Girona. If he isn’t ready, his comeback date would be the following Sunday in the Levante match.

Raphinha isn’t Barcelona’s only absent

This match was already going to be a tough obstacle for Barcelona, with injuries making it an even harder challenge. In addition to Raphinha’s absence, the manager will also be without another attacker, Marcus Rashford, who won’t be ready.

Flick discussed the English striker’s absence from the lineup: “We have some problems in the team. Rashford won’t be able to play. It’s not good news, but I believe in my team. In hard situations, we grow.”

Real Madrid shared a statement about the future of the European Super League

Real Madrid, with president Florentino Pérez at the forefront, placed UEFA in a difficult position five years ago when they promoted the European Super League as a rival to the Champions League.

Fan backlash across Europe made the project unviable. The saga concluded on Wednesday as Real Madrid, UEFA, and the European Football Clubs released a joint statement formally closing the chapter on the Super League.

The statement reads: “Following months of discussions conducted in the best interests of European football, UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC), and Real Madrid CF announce that they have reached an agreement of principles for the well-being of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology.”

The writing ends: “This agreement of principles will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League, once such principles are executed and implemented.”

Barcelona had left the European Super League

The original clubs behind the project included Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético, Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham. Several withdrew quickly after protests from supporters, while others remained for longer.

Barcelona announced their departure from the Super League last week, shortly before Joan Laporta’s resignation, confirming their stance through a brief note on the club’s official website.

The message stated: “FC Barcelona informs that today it has officially notified the European Super League Company and the clubs that have been part of it of its disassociation from the European Super League project.”

European Super League background

The European Super League was unveiled in 2021 as a breakaway tournament backed by some of Europe’s most powerful clubs. It aimed to secure permanent participation and increase revenues but collapsed within days amid widespread opposition.

Fans, domestic leagues, and UEFA argued it would damage competitive balance and undermine established structures. Although the project failed, it sparked ongoing debate about governance, financial distribution, and the role of elite clubs in European soccer.