Rayan Cherki decisive for Man City as Spalletti challenges Kolo Muani and Barcelona hit five | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki decisive for Man City as Spalletti challenges Kolo Muani and Barcelona hit five | OneFootball

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·23 August 2026

Rayan Cherki decisive for Man City as Spalletti challenges Kolo Muani and Barcelona hit five

Article image:Rayan Cherki decisive for Man City as Spalletti challenges Kolo Muani and Barcelona hit five

According to Le Progres, a breathless European weekend featured Rayan Cherki's decisive cameo for Manchester City, Luciano Spalletti challenging Randal Kolo Muani, and Barcelona's rout of Elche.

Manchester City struck twice late to beat Bournemouth 2-1, and Harry Kane was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year 2026.


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City trailed until minute 85 when Marc Guehi levelled, then Josko Gvardiol won it at 90+2, both set up by substitute Cherki.

Enzo Maresca praised Cherki's impact but said several starters had returned late, so he resisted adding another from the outset. He called Cherki forthright, accepted the player was unhappy with his role, and stressed selection is his decision.

At Juventus, Spalletti questioned Kolo Muani after a narrow win over Frosinone, suggesting two years without playing indicated a reason. He noted the striker's strength and movement but said these were matches where he must score.

Later, Barcelona opened their title defence with a 5-0 win at Elche, Raphinha scoring twice and assisting Karim Adeyemi, while Fermin Lopez also struck a brace.

A day earlier, Real Madrid edged Espanyol 2-1 in José Mourinho's debut, a 90th-minute winner by a young Levante recruit after Kylian Mbappé’s surge.

Kane took 272 votes, the first Briton to win, with Bayern team-mate Michael Olise on 203. Vincent Kompany was named coach of the year.

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”

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