Manchester City remains unbeaten as Raphinha excels for Barcelona
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
Manchester City started its Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory against Porto on Tuesday. Under manager Enzo Maresca, the team has maintained a winning streak across its first three Premier League matches, despite significant roster turnover this summer. Barcelona also saw success in the Champions League on Wednesday, securing a victory over Feyenoord as Raphinha continues a strong scoring run with eight goals in five appearances. Meanwhile, debate persists regarding the Ballon d’Or Féminin shortlist, which features only one American player, Rose Lavelle. Analysts point to the shifting global of women's soccer as European clubs increasingly dominate talent distribution. The scarcity of American representation on the list stands in contrast to the success of the United States team in recent international competitions.
- •Manchester City defeated Porto 2-0 in the Champions League.
- •Enzo Maresca has led Manchester City to wins in its first three Premier League matches.
- •Raphinha has scored eight goals in five matches for Barcelona.
- •Rose Lavelle is the only American nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin.
- •Barcelona managed an attacking transition following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — This week’s soccer questions: were we wrong about Man City and does the Ballon d’Or ignore Americans?
- 8:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — 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...
"We look at Enzo Maresca’s takeover in Guardiola’s shadow, shifting dynamics in women’s soccer and Raphinha’s incredible form at Barcelona
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 8:00 AMThis 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
- The Guardian SportSep 12, 2026, 8:00 AMThis 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...
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