Spain 2–0 France, Cherki admits: 'harder than we imagined'
Your two City men went head-to-head in the World Cup semi-final Wednesday, and it was Rodri celebrating at the final whistle. Spain beat France 2–0 (8). Rayan Cherki pulled no punches afterwards: "The disappointment is enormous. We knew their strength was playing at a slow, deceptive rhythm. At times we should have done the same. It was harder than we imagined" (8). Rodri's Spain move on to the final. Cherki's tournament is over.
City push Madrid on Bouaddi, Liverpool lurking
City are stepping up the chase for Ayyoub Bouaddi. The club is putting pressure on Real Madrid to start negotiations for the Lille midfielder (3). But don't close the book yet: a journalist close to the story says Liverpool cannot be ruled out either (4). Bouaddi is 18, already a World Cup starter for Morocco, and the kind of young midfielder a Maresca system would be built around.
Maresca eyes Malo Gusto reunion
Enzo Maresca wants a familiar face. Reports out of Portugal say the new City boss is pushing to bring Malo Gusto with him (2). The two worked together at Chelsea. Nothing concrete yet, just the first whispers of a summer reunion.
A €120m move being lined up
City are preparing something big. A €120m move is in the works, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes (7). No name attached yet. The report is thin on detail but the number alone tells you the club intends to back Maresca properly this summer.
Fan reactions
City fans are not dwelling on France's exit. The subreddit is instead passing around a clip of Erling Haaland dancing to Billie Jean, and the mood is lighter than you would expect for mid-July. Watch it here.
