Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane explains Gareth Bale absence vs Man City

straight to your inbox Phil Foden has been rewarded for his fine Manchester City form with a debut call-up to the senior England squad. Foden, 20, has been knocking on the door of the England side for some time, but manager Gareth Southgate has always insisted the youngster must be playing regularly for City in order to be considered.

straight to your inboxThe announcement of Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week could put into focus the most important decision of John Stones’ career.A poor season has left the 26-year-old as Manchester City’s fifth-choice centre-back with Nathan Ake signed from Bournemouth this summer and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly also on the club’s radar.If Stones misses out on a place with the Three Lions, it will mean he has been omitted from four of the last six national team squads.

straight to your inbox Manchester City put on a special trophy presentation at their training ground to mark the league title won by their U18s last season. Gareth Taylor's youngsters were closing in on the U18 Premier League North in March, 12 points clear of second-placed Liverpool with five games to play compared to the seven of their nearest rivals.

straight to your inboxGabriel Jesus believes the power of his pressing game was key to Manchester City's victory against Real Madrid in the Champions LeagueThe Brazilian netted in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu in February and started on the wing again at the Etihad, with Phil Foden operating as the false nine.Jesus was involved from the off, putting Raphael Varane under pressure after just nine minutes and forcing the Frenchman into an early mistake that allowed Raheem Sterling to open the

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane were locked in conversation at pitchside after Manchester City's win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.The two managers chatted amicably after the Blues’ 2-1 win had secured a place in the last-eight tournament, which starts in Lisbon next week.Defender Raphael Varane admitted his two errors had brought the defeat for Madrid, but Zidane’s failure to reach the quarter-finals will pile pressure on him, even though he led them to

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola has picked his Manchester City team to face Real Madrid with a strong start in mind. The Blues expect they will have to work hard for the duration of the game against a team dubbed the kings of the competition by Guardiola, with the bench expected to play an important part.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola must name what is arguably his most important starting XI of the season as Real Madrid visit the Etihad in the Champions League.Plenty has changed in the five months since Manchester City beat Real at the Bernabeu in February, with Sergio Aguero's injury potentially a huge blow to Guardiola's side.

It was revealed this week that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane had been named the world's best manager ahead of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp by French magazine L'Equipe. On the French coach, they said: "He is a coach who has experienced only one club, and quite rarely defeat.

straight to your inbox Emmanuel Adebayor believes that Manchester City are favourites to see off Real Madrid and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. And the striker, who played for both clubs, reckons the fact that the Spanish champions no longer have Cristiano Ronaldo will be the crucial factor when they meet at the Etihad on Friday night.