Football essentials, 30 September: Guardiola backs City, Ronaldo and Jesus calm the storm, Bordeaux sold

Found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules, Manchester City received public backing from Pep Guardiola, its manager for ten years. In Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus smoothed two days of tension before travelling to Denmark, and Bordeaux finally have a buyer.

Guardiola breaks his silence for City

“I am here, more than ever”: gone since May after a decade on the City bench, Guardiola promised his old club they would “get through this ordeal together”. City, found guilty of 114 financial breaches, will appeal. The Guardian reports that former chairman David Bernstein wants resignations, and RMC Sport, quoting the Times, that directors could face individual prosecution, with sentences of up to ten years. Our report covers the day.

Zidane owns his rotation

Between Türkiye and Belgium, the France coach changed nine of his ten outfield players, the rotation he already used at Real Madrid, notes L’Équipe. The squad has bought in: Manu Koné says he was left “shocked” by Zidane’s technique in training, “in his day it must have been incredible”. France host Italy on Friday, and the preview is already online. Our analysis.

Ronaldo and Jesus calm their rift

Left on the bench for the whole win in Norway, a first in eighteen years, Cristiano Ronaldo missed collective training again on Wednesday. Jorge Jesus brushed the row aside: “I decide”, adding: “Do you think a national team player refuses to train?” A crisis meeting brought the coach and the federation president together. Portugal play in Copenhagen on Thursday, the preview is online, and our report follows the story.

France U21 lose Mbappé and Mayulu

Injured in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Estonia, Ethan Mbappé and Senny Mayulu have left the U21 squad and returned to Lille and Paris for further tests. Gérald Baticle called up Nantes’ Dehmaine Tabibou. Our report details both injuries.

Bordeaux sold for one symbolic euro

Five years after Gérard Lopez arrived and an administrative relegation to regional football this summer, Bordeaux have a buyer: the English fund Park Bench, for one symbolic euro. The deal, signed overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, removes the liquidation threat hanging over the club. Our report wraps up the saga.

Smalling on his way to Porto

A free agent since leaving Al-Fayha, the former Manchester United centre-back is in advanced talks with FC Porto, who have won all seven of their league games. According to Foot Mercato, the 36-year-old is already in Porto for his medical, ahead of a deal until the end of the season. Our report.

Jean-Marc Furlan’s illness revealed

In “Jean-Marc Furlan, le don d’une vie”, his wife Cécile Traverse Furlan reveals the neurodegenerative illness the former Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 coach, now 68, has suffered for several years. Out of football since leaving Caen in November 2023, he had managed professional clubs for decades. Our report.