The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry
The Independent|December 01, 2024
Liverpool and Man City bosses set to meet for the first time
RICHARD JOLLY
The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry

Arne Slot liked what he heard and then what he saw. He had tuned in on Tuesday. He had a personal and a professional interest when his former club visited his next opponents. “What made this game special for me was more sitting at home, putting the volume up and hearing the Feyenoord fans singing my name,” he said. “That’s the biggest compliment you can get if you leave a club, that the fans still like you.”

The team that Slot built then shocked the side he will face on today. Manchester City were seemingly heading to Anfield this weekend with a restorative win. Then came a comeback for the ages and for the watching Slot: no side had been 3-0 down that late in a European Cup game and avoided defeat. “For me as a Feyenoord fan, I could hardly believe what I saw,” said Slot.

“At 3-1 you thought, ‘OK…’ but then City took control again. Then it was 3-2 and then 3-3. You don’t see this very often. It was the first time in the history of the Champions League this has happened.” It prompted Slot to get in touch with some old friends. “I spoke to more than a few people to congratulate them but it was not in a tactical manner,” he said.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView all
Stop buying clothes now!
The Independent

Stop buying clothes now!

As fashion campaigners demand 'degrowth' for an industry responsible for 10 per cent of global pollution, Helen Coffey talks to designers and activists about how, with 100 billion garments made every year, we risk shopping till we drop

time-read
9 mins  |
December 01, 2024
The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry
The Independent

The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry

Liverpool and Man City bosses set to meet for the first time

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Has Bethell's Test cricket baptism come too soon?
The Independent

Has Bethell's Test cricket baptism come too soon?

Jacob Bethell, 21, has been thrust into England side based on potential. Could the risk backfire, asks Cameron Ponsonby

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Resurgent Arsenal thrash Hammers in giddy goal fest
The Independent

Resurgent Arsenal thrash Hammers in giddy goal fest

Arsenal plundered another hatful of goals at West Ham as they climbed up to second in the Premier League with a frenetic 5-2 victory.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Defensive Lionesses cancel USA in tactical stalemate
The Independent

Defensive Lionesses cancel USA in tactical stalemate

Another night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Grandmother lost savings and her business after being wrongly charged with fraud
The Independent

Grandmother lost savings and her business after being wrongly charged with fraud

Krista Brown receives 'unreserved' apology after seven-year ordeal at hands of Crown Prosecution Service and HMRC

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Indian women are being 'controlled' by forest drones
The Independent

Indian women are being 'controlled' by forest drones

Researchers say wildlife cameras are used to harass them

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Rebels seize control of Aleppo in blow to Assad
The Independent

Rebels seize control of Aleppo in blow to Assad

Thousands of opposition forces took control of Syria’s second city Aleppo and its airport in a shock assault that marked their largest advance and the biggest challenge facing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in years.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Ukraine could use a Trump peace deal to buy some time
The Independent

Ukraine could use a Trump peace deal to buy some time

After Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders repeated constantly that they would stand behind Kyiv \"as long as it takes\", first as Ukraine struck back, then as Russia counterattacked.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Zelensky's plan for peace a 'major concession' to Putin
The Independent

Zelensky's plan for peace a 'major concession' to Putin

UK's former ambassador to Russia praises Ukraine president

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024