This week’s soccer questions: were we wrong about Man City and does the Ballon d’Or ignore Americans?

We look at Enzo Maresca’s takeover in Guardiola’s shadow, shifting dynamics in women’s soccer and Raphinha’s incredible form at Barcelona Squint hard enough and Manchester City still look like Manchester City. They’re still playing the same possession-hungry soccer. Erling Haaland is still scoring goals. They even have a new manager with vaguely the same appearance and oeuvre as their old manager. An AI Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Continue reading...

Graham Ruthven · Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 1:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

This week’s soccer questions: were we wrong about Man City and does the Ballon d’Or ignore Americans?

We look at Enzo Maresca’s takeover in Guardiola’s shadow, shifting dynamics in women’s soccer and Raphinha’s incredible form at Barcelona

Squint hard enough and Manchester City still look like Manchester City. They’re still playing the same possession-hungry soccer. Erling Haaland is still scoring goals. They even have a new manager with vaguely the same appearance and oeuvre as their old manager. An AI Pep Guardiola in the dugout.

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