Manchester City have lost the fear factor, the party atmosphere has been deflated… lose tonight and people will say the season has finished on a low note
Pep Guardiola's men trail the Reds by 3-0 going into the Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Etihad
THEY could still equal the record for the earliest title win in Premier League history.
They are odds on favourites to do so with the highest ever points tally and greatest goal difference – maybe even scoring more than anyone has before as well.
Yet the way the past week has gone for Manchester City, they could achieve that incredible hat-trick and people will STILL reckon the season has finished on a low note.
That’s how much the last two games have deflated the party atmosphere around the Etihad.
That’s how high the standards and expectations have become.
For nigh on eight months City were playing football from another planet.
Possibly, they said, the greatest side the Prem has ever seen.
Some even drew comparisons with the majestic Barcelona team of a few years back, even though that WAS admittedly taking things a little too far.
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Yet all of a sudden untouchable has become unthinkable. Two defeats on the bounce, six goals conceded, and a vulnerability no-one saw coming.
That’s why tonight’s Champions League return now bears the look of a game you could argue will define their season.
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Fail, and even when they do eventually lift that Premier League trophy, the champagne won’t be quite as effervescent.
There is no sport as fickle as football, and you saw that on Saturday, with pictures of some City fans crying after United’s fantastic derby comeback. Talk about needing a reality check.
These are the same lot who, not so long back, were throwing parties at a penalty shoot-out win over Gillingham to get out of the Second Division.
Now they’re sobbing their hearts out because they haven’t won the Premier League as early as they dreamed.
I hope they’ve saved a few Kleenex, because there’s every likelihood there will be tears again tonight.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Liverpool are red hot favourites to finish the job and take their place in Friday’s semi-final draw.
Overturn that advantage, and City really will deserve every accolade that will come flooding in.
Of course they CAN do it.
And I wouldn’t be totally surprised to see Pep go with a back three, use Kyle Walker and fit-again Fabian Delph as attacking wing backs, and tear at Liverpool.
Let’s face it, the Reds themselves have plenty of creaks in those defensive legs which, although firmer than before, are still wobbly at times.
The thing is City have now lost the fear factor which buckled lots of opponents in previous months.
Yes, they have the firepower to damage anyone, but you couldn’t back them with anything more than blind faith to keep a clean sheet.
And that is something they really can’t afford this evening. Tissues at the ready…