Gabriel Jesus says it is ‘unfair’ to compare his scoring record to Harry Kane
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus believes it is unfair to compare his goal-scoring statistics to the “best finisher in the world” Harry Kane.
Prolific Bayern Munich striker Kane will return to north London for the first time since leaving Tottenham last summer for Tuesday evening’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Emirates Stadium.
Spurs’ all-time record scorer has continued his red-hot form in Germany, registering 38 goals in all competitions during a disappointing campaign by the Bundesliga club’s high standards.
Jesus has hit the net just eight times for Arsenal in that time but has often been deployed on the wing.
The Brazil international feels he offers alternative qualities to both Kane and Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
“Even if I’m playing in the position like they play in every game, I think it’s unfair (to compare) because we are different types of player,” he said.
“Not many people want to look at the game like that. I have played this season maybe 40 per cent on the wing.
“People only want to know the result and if I score or not. That’s football today.
“People want stats. It’s not only with me but with a lot of strikers. I will never complain or compare with someone, I will always try to work.
“Everyone here knows the quality of Harry Kane. For me personally, he’s the best finisher in the world.
“It’s great to play against these types of players. Obviously we want to keep him quiet and then we try to win the game.
“But it’s not only Harry Kane. They have quality players there.”
Arsenal have reached this stage of the competition for the first time in 14 years and top of the Premier League table on goal difference.
Jesus is content to set aside his ego in order to aid the Gunners’ pursuit of domestic and European glory.
“This part of the season, you don’t have to think about yourself, you have to think about the team,” he said.
“I just want to win.
“I want to be on the pitch of course but this part of the season you have to put away your ego and help the team.”
While Arsenal are in contention to become top-flight champions for the first time in 20 years, Bayern’s quest for a 12th successive Bundesliga title is effectively over as they sit 16 points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Jesus dismissed suggestions the Gunners are favourites to progress.
“No team in the world is perfect,” replied the 27-year-old when asked about Bayern’s league form.
“Everyone knows their history, they won a lot of titles.
“Everyone knows the quality of the club, the amazing quality of the players. It doesn’t matter if they struggled, they are still Bayern and they can hurt us.
“I don’t think we are favourites. We are talking about Bayern, we have to respect them.
“In the same way we respect them, they respect us as well so I think there is no favourite. It will be a big game and a huge battle.”
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Real Madrid
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Man City today - Champions League
Real Madrid host Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg
Eder Militao could make first start since August
Questions over the base of midfield
By James Cormack
Apr 8, 2024 | Updated: Apr 9, 2024, 7:51 AM GMT+1
Carlo Ancelotti was typically candid in his pre-match press conference ahead of the first leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
The Italian discussed the respect he holds for his touchline counterpart and decried a lack of courage during Madrid's beatdown at the Etihad last season before noting there shall be no surprises regarding his team selection.
Ancelotti merely has two long-term injuries to mitigate, although there is some debate as to who'll start alongside Federico Valverde in midfield on Tuesday night. The boss has high-quality options at his disposal, but which dynamic will provide the right balance against a sky blue juggernaut?
Here's how Madrid could line up against City for the first leg in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-1-2)
Rodrygo Silva de Goes of Real Madrid celebrates his goal...
Rodrygo starred in Real Madrid's previous outing against Athletic Club / SOPA Images/GettyImages
GK: Andriy Lunin - Thibaut Courtois has been so pivotal for Madrid in this competition, but Lunin's Champions League knockout stage career started superbly in the round of 16.
RB: Dani Carvajal - Carvajal will be his industrious self on Tuesday, hassling Jack Grealish (probably) throughout the contest. He's surely a banker for a booking.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger loved his tussle with Erling Haaland last season and he'll attempt to tame the Nordic striker in Madrid.
CB: Eder Militao - Ancelotti admitted he's not yet decided who will partner Rudiger on Tuesday, but Militao will be desperate for a start having returned to fitness following seven months out. It's a risk, but a rusty Militao is probably still better than Nacho.
LB: Ferland Mendy - Mendy has streaked away from Fran Garcia in the left-back depth chart and is a shoo-in to start against City given the resurgent season he's enjoyed.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga - It feels like a toss-of-a-coin decision as to who'll start at the base of midfield. However, we'll give Camavinga the nod over Aurelien Tchouameni given his track record in Europe. He's thrived in the knockouts previously.
CM: Toni Kroos - There may be some concerns without the ball against a powerful City midfield, but Kroos' inclusion feels necessary given what he can supply in possession.
CM: Federico Valverde - Madrid's star midfielder will be absolutely pivotal in slowing the visitors down on Tuesday. Valverde operates as Madrid's primary disruptor while also producing quality in transition.
AM: Jude Bellingham - The English sensation previously impressed with Borussia Dortmund against City at this stage of the competition. Bellingham will now be looking to go one step further and inspire the world's grandest club to victory against Europe's best on the big stage.
ST: Vinicius Junior - Pep Guardiola must have had a sleepless night or two thinking about how City can nullify Vinicius in the absence of Kyle Walker. The Brazilian has arguably been the world's best performer in 2024.
ST: Rodrygo - Rodrygo unsurprisingly shone in Vini's absence last time out, enjoying himself down the left. However, he'll have to occupy the right channel on Tuesday with his compatriot available once again.
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Manchester City
Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid today - Champions League
Man City are on the road for the first leg of their quarter-final tie
Pep Guardiola has rotated his squad superbly ahead of Tuesday's game
Josko Gvardiol a fresh injury concern
By James Cormack
Apr 8, 2024 | Updated: Apr 9, 2024, 7:52 AM GMT+1
Manchester City are hunting a second consecutive treble, but UEFA threw up a major hurdle by pairing them against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The two clubs have had their fair share of memorable tussles in recent years, with City avenging their improbable defeat in 2022 by thumping their Spanish counterparts a year later.
Another classic two-legged affair is in store with City first making the trip to the Bernabeu before welcoming Carlo Ancelotti's side to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola still has a couple of defensive injury concerns and here's the team he could pick for Tuesday night's first leg.
Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Kevin De Bruyne, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Oscar Bobb
Man City have scored eight times in their previous two games / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
GK: Ederson - City's number one was back in the matchday squad on Saturday, hinting that a comeback is close. He may return to the XI in Madrid.
RB: Manuel Akanji - With Kyle Walker out, the athletically impressive Akanji surely has to be the contingency plan for nullifying Vinicius Junior.
CB: John Stones - Stones was back in the team at the weekend. His significance to Guardiola's side means he's a shoo-in for Tuesday's clash.
CB: Ruben Dias - The Portuguese defender has had his fair share of critics for his performances this season, but Dias has a huge role to play during the run-in.
LB: Rico Lewis - Lewis, who scored at Selhurst Park after impressing against Aston Villa, could keep his place in the side given City's injuries. However, he could invert off the left with Guardiola unlikely to trust him one-v-one against Vini Jr.
CM: Rodri - The man that doesn't lose was utterly imperious in City's 4-1 win over Villa last Wednesday, following that display up with an assist for De Bruyne at the weekend. It's hard to bet against the Cityzens when this mentality monster is involved.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne - Scorer at the Bernabeu on two separate occasions, De Bruyne was back to his best on Saturday as he inspired City to a 4-2 win in south London.
AM: Phil Foden - The sparkling Foden is well rested following his magic last week, having not featured at Selhurst Park. Can he produce a game-breaking Champions League display?
RW: Bernardo Silva - A mere cameo for Bernardo on Saturday suggests he'll get the nod down the right on Tuesday.
ST: Erling Haaland - Haaland is in for a tussle over these two legs with Antonio Rudiger and the returning Eder Militao determined to contain the Nordic goal-machine whose appeared more human this term.
LW: Jack Grealish - Control is all Guardiola wants and Grealish's ability to retain possession in the final third should see him get the nod over the more chaotic Jeremy Doku. Grealish has impressed in recent outings.
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