Steve Nicol and Nedum Onuoha discuss the latest capitulation by Manchester City. There is a time and a place for it. Manchester City have created a lot of history, but they may now be heading for the ignominy of being the biggest chokers in sport. It could make matters worse because of City's troubles. Nothing is certain until the final whistle in football. Real Madrid's amazing comeback against City in the second leg of the European semifinals, when they scored twice in the last minute to take the game to extra time and then win, came just 24 hours after a similar collapse by the Reds. At 89 minutes in the Santiago Bernabeu, City were heading to the final and still on course for a double. If they fail to win all four of their remaining games, they will end the season with nothing. City are only one point ahead of their rivals, but they have moved 12 points clear of their rivals at the top of the league after a 2-0 home win against Brentford on February 9. The team had two games in hand, but City held a significant lead, so they blew it. It would be the worst collapse since Sir Alex Ferguson gave Man City the title in 2012 despite holding an eight-point lead with six games to play. - Mabert: Epic Champions League comebacks happening more often
- How VAR decisions have affected every Premier League club It is possible that, despite all the talk of an unprecedented four-trophy campaign, the Reds could fall short this season and end up lifting just the Carabao Cup. The FA Cup final is on May 14. Nobody would risk dismissing Madrid's chances of winning the 14th European Championship at the end of the season, while City could walk away with the league title. Football is all about momentum, and that's what the Reds have. The implosion being experienced by the players and their coach will give the other team strength. While City crumbled against Madrid,Liverpool stiffened their resolve to snuff out the comeback of Villarreal. When City needed a match-winning performance from Kevin De Bruyne to win the game, the player in the middle was so anonymous that he was replaced in the closing stages. The impact of Luis Diaz led to a second-half comeback by the Reds. Recent results and performances suggest that City are holding onto their cards at the same time as the other team is getting stronger and more determined. One theory is that the team has a stronger mentality because of being forged in adversity. They missed out on the league title to City despite losing to them in the Carabao Cup final, and they lost in the final of the European Championship to Madrid. You can watch the FC daily on the US version of the network.
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
They had to learn how to bounce back from setbacks, and their collective strength and belief grew from those near-misses. City have had some bad nights in the league, but they have not been as bad as the Reds. It has not been easy for City to win silverware in England, with eight major trophies in the last two years. They achieved a domestic Treble in that time.
Disappointments have been few and far between, but they have not really affected City's domestic ambitions. The elimination this week is different than anything they have experienced before.
A run of games to win the title now looks like the end of the mountain. One of the league's in-form teams at home, with heavy minds and legs after Madrid, will be a test of nerve as well as physical endurance, while next Wednesday's trip to eighth-place Wolves is another game that will pose big questions.
It is possible that City could find themselves in second place needing to win to regain top spot, which adds more pressure.
Then comes a game at West Ham on May 15, followed by the season finale at home to Steven Gerrard. Imagine the tension at the City of Manchester Stadium if it was possible for Steven Gerrard to help his old club by denying them a win.
There are only four games left in the season, so City are still the favourites to win the title. The City team knows it has blown one competition and is halfway to blowing another, so the fear of failure could start creeping into the club. It is time for the players to get off the canvas and fight back.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
