Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano had two very difficult legs against Man City in the Champions League. That being said while pundits didn’t hold back on their criticism across the tie, one commentator chose a very unique way of describing his performance: by calling him ‘Upamaguire’.
It’s not too often you hear footballers described as playing badly through the means of comparing them to another top-flight professional on live television.
Nevertheless, as City sent themselves quite comfortably into the semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate, a broadcaster providing beIN Sports‘ Arabic commentary decided to compare Upamecano’s sup-par showing to fellow down-on-his-luck defender, Harry Maguire.
A little but rude, to say the least.
It’s giving Jack Grealish slating Miguel Almiron for absolutely no reason. Man United fans can only hope it at least results in a similar upturn in form.
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Yes, sadly the unfortunate United defender can’t escape criticism even when it’s not him that’s playing, with the commentator clearly throwing out ‘Upamaguire’ as a dig at the French centre-back’s faltering performance across the tie.
It goes without saying that this isn’t the most professional behaviour from the broadcaster, but only further goes to show just how bad a moment Maguire is going through.
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As if that wasn’t unexpected and outlandish enough, it’s not even close to being the most bizarre moment of criticism the 30-year-old has faced of late; it was only last year that an MP in Ghana tried to mock the opposition by comparing them to the England international. No, we’re not joking.
To make matters worse, Maguire had a similarly poor game in his last outing for the Red Devils against Nottingham Forest last weekend and the game prior saw him head home one of two own goals in their disappointing draw against Sevilla.
With the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final being played this evening and both of Erik ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back partnership out injured, Maguire will have to step up if his team are to have any hope of going through. Unnecessary jibes like this certainly don’t help.
Featured Image — Upamecano (via IG)/BT Sport/Harry Maguire (via Twitter)
Sport
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.