THEY SAID IT
“The coach of Sundowns, he is the local Mourinho. He has won a lot of trophies, he pretends to be God and everyone listens to what he says. He criticised me because two of his players came back from the national team injured. At one point he even had 11 injured players. The reason is simple - the schedule is too busy. I hope my players will not be exhausted before AFCON.”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos had a cheap shot at Sundowns counterpart Rulani Mokwena before the Cup of Nations.
“We are incredibly, hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan. We thought the team that were put out was certainly a more offensive team. This was our intention. I think it rocked us the goal that we conceded, but I thought we got back into the game. At that stage it looked like we could go on and win it. We are hugely, hugely disappointed with our result. And I know, and this group of players also know, how the Ghanaian people see this game, see this tournament and our expectations going into this one.”
An angry supporter attempted to strike Ghana coach Chris Hughton after their surprise defeat at the Cup of Nations finals on Sunday.
“The best advice to give to the players is to dream and dream big. To dream that we want to win - why not dream to win the four titles? I will depend on my performance on the field. I was there in November on mer- it, because of good games in the Brazilian league, and it will be the same with Inter Miami.”
Luis Suarez on playing at Inter Miami this year and also on returning to the Uruguayan national squad.
“It was crazy. I missed this. I had a big injury and I needed the time. It was more willpower than anything else, but it was crazy.”
Kevin De Bruyne on getting a taste of what he missed during a five-month injury lay- off after inspiring Manchester City to come from behind and secure a last-gasp 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday.
“You have to grow up and be more physical, head the ball away. That shouldn’t happen. And the second Spurs goal was a typical one. We know the quick releases and then we allow them a diagonal pass and with one di- agonal pass they break our whole team and that can’t happen. I am quite disappointed. When you go ahead twice and then concede two soft goals it is a bit frustrating, but you have to take it as it is.”
The pressure is growing on Erik ten Hag, who criticised his Manchester United play- ers for twice letting the lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Spurs.