MANCHESTER CITY WASTES CHANCE TO RECLAIM TOP SPOT IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
In the title decisive match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Pep Gladiola’s side bottled the chance to reclaim their spot at the top of the English League with what most would describe as an “awful” goalless draw performance from the title holders.
Unlike last season’s victory, which helped crown Man City as Champions of England, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal frustrated the title holders throughout the game to keep the three-house race wide open with each side with a game at hand. Liverpool’s (67) earlier comeback victory over Brighton put them three points clear of Manchester City (64) at the top of the Standings, and two points away from Arsenal (65).
A few changes in the starting line-up were made by both sides in their first game after the International break. Jeremy Doku and the injured Kyle Walker were replaced by Kelvin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake for Man City, while Gabriel Jesus started the game ahead of Leandro Trossard for Arsenal.
Kyle Walker left during the first half of England's 1-0 loss to Brazil at Wembley Stadium due to injury. The team would also play without John Stones who was forced to exit England’s 2-2 draw game against Belgium. First-choice goalkeeper Ederson is still sidelined with a thigh injury and is poised to return to action later in April. These unfortunate incidents underscore the challenges faced by Man City, as they will struggle with injuries to key players during upcoming crucial matches.
The game fell short of the pre-match hype from the first half, a more dominating City side was constantly repelled by the resilient Gunner's defense and failed to create significant chances to take the lead. Nathan Ake had the first real attempt on target, after shouldering a close-range effort from a corner straight to David Raya’s hands. The Dutchman was forced off the game with an injury in the 27th minute and was replaced by Rico Lewis.
Mateo Kovacic came even closer to scoring with a bent effort from 20 yards out just 2 minutes into the second half. Manchester City kept pressing a well-determined Arsenal defense to no avail, Erling Haaland came closer to sealing the game but failed to finish a loose ball in the box deep into the second half.
Gabriel Jesus got Arsenal’s only real chance of the game in the first half. The former Man City striker met Ben White’s cross and struck the ball narrowly wide from the post. Arsenal spent more time defending against Pep Gladiola’s men than attacking. If it was any consolation, they end their eight-game losing streak against Manchester City with a point and remain second in the tight title race.
Manchester City failed to score at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in 58 games in all competitions and it would be their first goalless draw in 76 Premier League games.
Pep Gladiola’s team is in for a deep title chase after failing to beat both teams when the opportunities came. A one-all draw against Liverpool at Anfield a few weeks back and now a goal-less draw with Arsenal. If they fail to reclaim the Premier League title this season, their failure to take maximum points off encounters with contending opponents will be a major reason.
Champions League quarter-final Clash with Real Madrid
Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UCL following the final
Draw held on Friday, March 15, 2024.
It is the most decisive fixture and route in the quarter-finals between the two past winners of the competition. Both teams were the only sides to have a perfect record of six wins in the Group stages this season and went on to eliminate FC Copenhagen and RB Leipzig in the Round of 16.
It would be City’s fifth time and the third season facing Real Madrid in the UCL knock-out stages. In a series of encounters that have produced thirty-one incredible goals so far in the European competition. Although the Spanish side is the most successful team in the competition, Manchester City has been more victorious in encounters between the two powerhouses, holding a record four wins and seventeen goals against the Spanish side (with three wins and fourteen goals).
2022/23 Semi-finals:
Man City (5) - Real Madrid (1)
2021/22 Semi-finals:
Man City (5) - Real Madrid (6)
2019/20 Round of 16:
Man City (4) - Real Madrid (2)
2015/16 Semi-finals:
Man City (0) - Real Madrid (1)
Pep Gladiola and Carlo Ancelotti are not amateurs to the intensity of the Champions League games. They two will go at it again for a spot in the semi-finals. Fans would expect a battle of tactics when both sides meet in the Ethihad on the 9th of April for the 1st Leg encounter.
The winner would face either Bayern Munich or Arsenal in the semi-finals. Should both English clubs be victorious, they would have to face each other again in the knockouts. Hopefully, City will learn from their errors and do better in their upcoming games.
FA Cup Semi-final Battle with Chelsea
Manchester City progressed to the Semi-finals of the FA with a commanding 2-0 victory over Newcastle just before the International break, thanks to Bernardo Silver’s brace. They will face Chelsea in Wembley for a place in the finals against Manchester United or Coventry City.
Pep Gladiola’s men have failed to beat a struggling Blues side this season, rescuing a 1-1 draw in their last encounter at the Etihad Stadium, which follows the 4-4 draw at Stanford Bridge in the first half of the season. It would be another well-fought encounter between both teams.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea would be seeking to bring excitement back to the club, after constantly dropping points in the League and losing out to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup finals. Man City, on the other hand, would need to improve their performances against the
Premier League’s Big Sixif they intend to keep their hopes for silverware alive.
UPCOMING MAN CITY FIXTURES
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
- UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 9th April, Kickoff at 20:00
Manchester City vs. Luton Town
- Premier League, Saturday 13th April, Kickoff at 15:00
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
- UEFA Champions League (2nd Leg), Wednesday 17th April, Kickoff at 20:00
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
- The FA Cup, Saturday 20th April, Kickoff at 17:15
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
- Premier League (Postponed: Fixture Clash)
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Manchester City
- Premier League, Thursday 25th April, Kickoff at 20:00
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City
- Premier League, Sunday 28th April, Kickoff at 16:30
Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Premier League, Saturday 4th May, Kickoff at 15:00
Fulham vs. Manchester City
- Premier League, Saturday 11th May, Kickoff at 15:00
Manchester City vs. West Ham United
- Premier League, Sunday 19th May, Kickoff at 16:00
BUY AVAILABLE MANCHESTER CITY TICKETS
are extremely in high demand. Check out the available seats and map and compare the prices to secure your best spot in the action. Tickets from official sites are limited or sold out due to this demand. Alternative marketplaces remain fans' most reliable source to get tickets to the games they love.
City's upcoming matches will be captivating. From Premier League matches to the FA Cup encounter against Chelsea and the well-anticipated Champions League semi-finals with Madrid. Each fixture is a chance to show the team’s passion and determination to secure maximum points, drawing closer to ending a thrilling season on high notes.
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