Man City ‘out’ of Champions League: ‘Shocked’ update
Man City area already out of the Champions League as they have “no chance” of coming back to beat Real Madrid in the second leg of their knockout play-off, Paul Merson has said.
The Premier League champions suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the first leg of that tie at the Etihad on Tuesday night (11 February).
They initially started well in that match, as Erling Haaland put Man City in front after a long VAR check inside 20 minutes.
After Kylian Mbappe levelled for the visitors on the hour mark, Haaland had restored his side’s lead from the penalty spot with ten minutes of normal time remaining.
However, a late capitulation, that will put plenty of scrutiny on Man City goalkeeper Ederson, has gifted Madrid a 3-2 lead ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu next week.
Now Merson believes that means any hopes Pep Guardiola‘s side have of turning around the tie and progressing to the next round of the competition are already over.
‘Man City playing for just the FA Cup after first leg defeat to Real Madrid’
Although there is still another leg of that tie to be played, Merson believes any chance of Man City reaching the last 16 is already gone.
Speaking after the game the former Arsenal compared the challenge facing Guardiola’s side to the one Tottenham faced in their thrashing by Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield.
A combination of that, their early elimination in the Carabao Cup, and the fact they are already 15 points behind Liverpool in the title race, means Merson believes the FA Cup is the only silverware Man City have a hope of lifting this season.
Giving his verdict on the performance of the Premier League champions in that game on Sky Sports News, Merson said: “I thought they did really well to go 2-1 up, amazing. Alright they had to ride their luck a couple of times, of course you will when you’re playing a team like Real Madrid.
“But they’ll be so disappointed. I mean we’re not even middle of February yet and they’re playing for the FA Cup.”
After host Julian Warren then asked Merson if he thinks Guardiola’s team are out, the ex-England international replied: “Well I’ll have Real Madrid you’ll have Man City.”
That was met with laughter before Warren asked Merson what chance he gives the Premier League champions of reaching the last 16.
In response, the pundit said: “None. I’ll be shocked. Majorly shocked. I’ve seen enough in Real Madrid to know that they can open them up like a knife through butter.
“I just can’t see how Man City can come away with this. Go up at 2-1 up and then you never know but this is like the equivalent for me of the Liverpool Tottenham one in the Carabao Cup, and Tottenham had a goal head start. They’re one behind.”
Real Madrid in control ahead of second leg
Football Insider Verdict
It is hard to see how Real Madrid will lose the tie from this position, given how often they seem to find a way when it comes to the Champions League.
A one-goal lead and up against home advantage is a huge mountain for the Premier League champions to climb in the second leg.
That will not be helped either by the fact that their confidence will be badly hurt after yet another collapse this season for Man City in the first leg of the tie.
Given they are out of the Carabao Cup and face such a deficit to Liverpool in the Premier League as well, that may mean Merson is right that the FA Cup is all they have left to play for.
Considering the huge expectations there always are around the club in this day and age, that will make for a hugely disappointing campaign for the club, even if they are successful in that one tournament.
Even associated with Man City will therefore surely be desperate for the season to be over, then they can continue to press on with their rebuild that appeared to start in the January transfer window.