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• Players 'close' to striking over fixture congestion, warns Rodri

  Players could go on strike over the amount of games they are required to play, Rodri warned on the eve of Manchester City's Champions League opener versus Inter.

  The 2024-25 edition of the Champions League will be the first to use a new format featuring 36 teams, with each side now required to play eight group-stage games, rather than six.

  Meanwhile, City will be one of 32 teams to take part in FIFA's expanded Club World Cup at the end of the season, a tournament that has drawn stern criticism from many within the game.

  City navigated 61 games when winning the treble two seasons ago but could be set for a far more rigorous schedule this term, leaving Rodri to warn a players' strike could lie ahead. 

  "I think we're close to that [striking]," Rodri told reporters. "It's the general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, we'll have no other option. 

  "I really think it's something that worries us. We are the guys who suffer."

  The optimal number of games "in which a player can perform at the highest level," the Spaniard added, is "between 40 and 50".

  "After that, you drop because it's impossible to sustain the physical level," he added. "This year, we're going to go until 70, maybe 80, depends on how far you go into competitions.

  "I think it's too much. We have to take care of ourselves, because we are the main characters of this sport or business. 

  "Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show. When I rest, when I'm not tired, I perform better. And if people want to see better football, we need to rest."

  Last season, the 28-year-old's campaign extended through to Spain's Euro 2024 final victory on July 14, as did those of City team-mates Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden, who finished as runners-up with England.

  City defender Manuel Akanji recently joked he may have to retire at 30 because of the gruelling schedule.

  "It's so tough," the defender said. "You don't just think about this season, but also next season. 

  "Let's say we win the league or cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup; the Community Shield is three weeks after. When do we have holidays?"

  On Wednesday, City host Inter in a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final, won by the English side courtesy of Rodri's strike.

  City forward Erling Haaland is eyeing a piece of history as he could overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a single club, having scored 99 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions, including nine in four league games this season. Ronaldo netted 100 in his first 105 matches for Real Madrid.

  "I played for 11 years and scored 11 goals. This guy, in four games he's scored nine," boss Pep Guardiola said with a laugh.

  "The opponents will find a solution, and we have to find a solution to beat them, to find a way."

• Emery focused on 'new mentality' in Aston Villa's Champions League debut

  Unai Emery is focusing on a new mentality for his Aston Villa side as they embark on their Champions League journey against Young Boys.

  Villa are making their first appearance in Europe's top competition since 1982 on Tuesday, having previously won the competition 42 years ago. 

  Emery's side will become the 11th different English club to compete in the Champions League, and the first English newcomer since Leicester in 2016-17. 

  But the Spaniard has made a name for himself on the European stage, having won the Europa League on four occasions with Sevilla and Villarreal. 

  However, Emery's last game in the competition came back in 2022, with his Villarreal side eliminated by Liverpool in the semi-finals of the competition. 

  That particular run was the Villa head coach's best run in the tournament, and he is dreaming of going one step further with the Villains. 

  "I had dreams when I arrived here to play in the Champions League and be competitive in this competition," Emery told TNT Sports, in an exclusive interview.

  "But we are going to set our new mentality, our new objective. Because we are now not comfortable playing in the Premier League and being in the middle.

  "We want to be competitive, get in Europe, and be consistent.

  "But of course, being consistent and getting into Europe is very difficult in England because it is the hardest league in the world."

   

  While reaching the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last season, Tuesday's match against the Swiss champions will be many of the Villa squad's first taste of Champions League football. 

  However, Emery has strengthened his squad with European experience in recent years. 

  Pau Torres was part of Emery's side that reached the semi-finals in 2022, while Ian Maatsen played the duration of Borussia Dortmund's defeat to Real Madrid in last year's final. 

  And the Spaniard is looking to those two players in particular to help his side navigate the encounter. 

  "We have players with experience; Ian Maatsen played last year and he is with us now," Emery continued. 

  "Other players played, Pau Torres played in a semi-final three years ago. And I am playing [coaching] in Europe for 16 years in a row.

  "My experiences are very important, but the better experience we are trying to use and get is with Aston Villa, with Aston Villa players, with Aston Villa supporters.

  "We are always remembering how amazing it was when they won the Champions League [European Cup] in 1982, and for us, it is very important."

  One of the talking points ahead of the clash is the artificial surface at the Wankdorf Stadium.

  But Emery is resolute that his players will not be using that as an excuse and will adapt to what they encounter.

  "We have to accept and we have to adapt to the pitches we are playing," Emery concluded.  

  "Of course, usually we are playing on normal pitches, here it is synthetic. But we are going to try to adapt quickly and know what the difference is with the pitch."

• Koopmeiners backed to shine in Champions League opener by Motta

  Thiago Motta is confident that new signing Teun Koopmeiners will excel is included in their Champions League opener against PSV.

  The 26-year-old has featured in two games for Juventus since joining from Europa League winners Atalanta for €54million in August.

  Koopmeiners, who missed out on a place at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands due to a muscle injury, has played just 135 minutes so far, but has created the third-most chances out of the Juve players (four).

  And Motta said the Dutchman has already gelled well with his team-mates in training and expects him to make an impact if he is involved.

  "It doesn't look like he hasn't trained for a month. He's integrating very well," Motta told reporters. 

  "He's trying to put all his qualities at the disposal of the team. Everyone who is called up tomorrow is doing very well.

  "We expect everything we expect from the rest of the team. If he plays tomorrow, he will perform great. Together with his teammates, he can do great things."

  Motta joined as head coach in June and will become the 10th different manager to take charge of Juventus in the Champions League.

  The Italian is looking forward to leading the team in the competition after they were banned last year for breaching licencing and Financial Fair Play rules.

  "Great pride to start this competition. Then we play at home against a good team," Motta added. 

  "I can't wait to start the match. We want to put in a great performance to bring the result on our side."

  Juve had a busy transfer window with Koopmeiners the most high-profile of several arrivals, including fellow midfielders Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram plus left-back Juan Cabal.

  However, the 42-year-old Motta remained tight-lipped on whether he would give chances to several debutants after a goalless draw with Empoli in Serie A on Saturday.

  "Everything counts in football - experience, enthusiasm and desire. At Empoli, we played well without getting the result we wanted. Now it's a closed chapter," he added.

  Juve midfielder Manuel Locatelli also said the draw at Empoli made them "angry, but it's a closed chapter", and they are looking forward to their game in Europe's top competition.

  "Last year we missed it a lot. We are excited, and we can't wait to get on the pitch. Hearing the music is special, and the fans will give us a hand," the Italy international said.

  "We have signed strong midfielders with a lot of quality and experience who raise the level of the team. It is a pleasure to play with them".