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Saudi League 'Completely Changed The Market'

Asharq Al-Awsat AR
Asharq Al-Awsat AR
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Saudi League 'Completely Changed The Market'

Asharq Al-Awsat AR
Asharq Al-Awsat AR

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday that the Saudi Pro League had "completely changed the market" and he expects more and more high-profile players to move there.

City winger Riyad Mahrez this week became just the latest big name to move to Saudi football, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and numerous others from Europe's top leagues.

"The Saudi league completely changed the market," Guardiola said in Seoul.

"A year ago when Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player, no one could imagine how many top, top quality, extraordinary players were going to play in the Saudi league.

"In the future, it will happen more and more."

Guardiola said that he had a "special relationship" with Mahrez, even though the attacker fell from favor towards the end of his time at the English and European champions.

"He's one of the players I've seen in my career I enjoyed the most.

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Bologna Misses Out on Serie A Top Four After Draw 

Udinese's Martin Payero (R) and Bologna's Sam Beukema in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Udinese Calcio vs Bologna FC 1909 at the Friuli - Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, 28 April 2025. (EPA)
Udinese's Martin Payero (R) and Bologna's Sam Beukema in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Udinese Calcio vs Bologna FC 1909 at the Friuli - Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, 28 April 2025. (EPA)
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Bologna Misses Out on Serie A Top Four After Draw 

Udinese's Martin Payero (R) and Bologna's Sam Beukema in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Udinese Calcio vs Bologna FC 1909 at the Friuli - Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, 28 April 2025. (EPA)
Udinese's Martin Payero (R) and Bologna's Sam Beukema in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Udinese Calcio vs Bologna FC 1909 at the Friuli - Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, 28 April 2025. (EPA)

Bologna held on for a scoreless draw at Udinese in Serie A on Monday and a precious point in its bid to play in European competition next season.

Bologna dominated possession but goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was made to work much harder than his counterpart.

The team was one point out of the top four Champions League qualifying places. Bologna played in the Champions League this season for the first time in 60 years.

Lazio could have replaced Bologna in fifth place but drew at home with Parma 2-2 from 2-0 down.

Lazio’s point left it out of the top six European qualifying places on goal difference.

Pedro scored twice in the last 11 minutes for Lazio after Parma forward Jacob Ondrejka scored at the start of each half.

Parma ran its unbeaten streak to seven games, including six draws, to be five points from the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, in the fight to avoid relegation, Cagliari won at Hellas Verona 2-0 to replace the home side in 15th place and eight points from the drop with four rounds remaining.