Reactions have continued to trail Yaya Toure’s comment on Manchester City’s chances of winning the 2022 Champions League. The former Manchester City midfielder and Ivory Coast international was on the stage to unveil the draws.
UEFA has fixed the final draws for the kick-off of the group stage matches of the 2022 Champions League. Yaya Toure, who was on the stage to unveil the draws, has stirred reactions after he weighed into Manchester City‘s chances of winning the Champions League.
Speaking in Istanbul in Turkey, the host of the group stage draws, Toure said that his former team has a chance of winning the highly-rated trophy this season, although it will not be easy.
“Man City have a chance [to win the Champions League]. I think they have a chance this season.
“It will not be easy for them, but I wish them all the best.”
Yaya Toures’ comment has sparked reactions among football fans who noted that the former Barcelona midfielder had allegedly placed a curse on the team before he departed from the club in 2018.
According to the fans, Manchester City’s deadlock in the Champions League can be attributed to Toure’s agent, who cursed the team after the Ivorian football legend was frustrated out the club.
A fan @Goddey wrote, ‘Appu, it won’t happen, the curse continue.’
Another said, ‘he would have won the balloon d’Or if the shit works.’
@tonykings wrote, ‘he admired their quality and hope city wins.’
Recall that despite Guardiola’s triumphant takeover of the Premier League, the Champion League trophy has eluded the English giants.
Manchester City made it to their first ever Champions League finals in 2021 when they clashed with domestic rivals, Chelsea. Guardiola lost 1-0 to Thomas Tuchel, elongating their search for the most coveted trophy.
What Happened Between Yaya Toure And Manchester City?
On July 2, Yaya joined Manchester City from Barcelona on a five years contract for a £24m fee. He was a key player for the Citizens and has scored in key and crucial encounters for the club. Toure was awarded the Man of the Match in his debut against Valencia on August 7, 2010.
Due to his goal-scoring ability, Roberto Mancini, the then Manchester City manager, used Toure as more of a striker than a midfielder. English media had described Toure as ‘dominant’ and ‘magnificent’ when he towered high in a title-decider clash with Manchester United in the 2011-2012 football season.
Despite Yaya Toure’s sterling performance for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola left him out of Manchester City’s Champions League squad against Steaua Bucuresti in 2015. This angered Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk, who said that Guardiola humiliated the Ivory Coast international by leaving him out of City’s Champions League squad.
Pep Guardiola was equally angered. He demanded a public apology from Seluk if Toure would be included in the team. Toure rendered an apology on his agent’s behalf, and Guardiola returned him to the starting lineup against Crystal Palace. The 39-year-old scored 2 goals to earn the citizens a win against Crystal Palace.
Yaya Toure finally left Manchester City in 2018 after lingering speculation that his relationship with Guardiola has gone sour. In his eight years spell with the club, Toure made 230 appearances, scoring 59 goals.
