Man City: 'A horrible tie to start a huge week'

We go here. Manchester City face a run of games in the next 12 days that will either break their season or make it.

All three trophies are on the line in the next four games, against two extremely difficult opponents, as well as in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

In a row of matches, City will play five teams in the league and one in the FA Cup.

I don't think City will win all four games, but for different reasons they have to go hard in the first two, which is crucial for what happens next.

Why Atletico are the last team I'd want to face

City has had draws in Europe before. Not this year.

I think they will beat Atleti, but it will come down to what happens in the first leg of their quarter-final, far more so than if they were playing anyone else.

City are at home first and this is not a good time to be cagey. They have to really go for it and throw everything at the other team.

We know what they are like and what their manager is going to do. On Tuesday, they will come to defend, to be awkward and to frustrate.

At City, most other teams do that, but the difference is that they are so good at it, and also very dangerous when they break. They are the team I wouldn't want to face.

They are lethal on the counter-attack, even though they don't want the ball, and they are happy for you to have it. That is one weakness of City.

It's important that City take a lead to Spain and score a couple of goals.

If that is the case, then City will be able to attack them at Wanda Metropolitano next week.

It will take a lot out of the players to get through if things are still sticky by then.

Liverpool are already in City's heads

The title race is now like a knockout competition, as evidenced by the fact that Guardiola said at the weekend that if City lose, they are out.

I believe the title is done if they lose to Liverpool on Sunday, but there will still be seven league games left.

The damage done in the psychological battle is why City can't get back into it.

It reminds me of my City side's victory over Manchester United. We felt like we were going to win the title even if we didn't win it. Losing that control really hurts and it was still in United's hands until then.

This game is important for City. They will think they have lost the league if they lose at home to the Reds.

The way City beat Burnley on Saturday did not look like they were feeling the pressure, but of course they are thinking about the fact that they have lost only one game all season.

From listening to the City players, you can tell that. When they drew with Crystal Palace before the international break, Bernardo Silva was asked about something different, and he replied how he would rather be in City's position than on the other side of the pond.

It is getting to them. They are thinking about it.

You always think about your rivals, but this time they are in your head.

What matters most? Europe is the big one

The FA Cup semi-finals will not be unimportant for the man because he tries to win every competition.

The most important prize is the Premier League, because it shows how good a team you are, and how you have got the consistency you need.

Let's not forget that City and Guardiola want the same thing. It will always be a stick to beat them with, even though they have won everything else.

Europe is the most important thing for City this season.

They have been good enough to win the European Championship for a few years now, so they are ready.

They will not be scared of the other teams if they get past Atlante, they just need to find a way to get over the line.

Richards was talking to Chris Bevan.