It was a poor performance, there's no doubting that but I do think there's a few things we need to think about.
First of all, we will beat at least one of Brighton, Newcastle or Everton. United to to hope we lose all three and they beat Leicester and Liverpool this week. The league is over, it's just a matter of when. United will not win the league. Even if the gap between us and them ends up being 3 points, we took our foot off the pedal in the last month in terms of the league. If we needed 90+ points this season we could've done it despite the poor start.
Secondly, it was important not to show our system and players to Tuchel and his players as they would then have a go at being able to crack it. The only thing they will have learn't is that Mendy is useless, Cancelo has reverted back to his useless self, Ake isn't as good as Stones, Rodri can't run a midfield on his own. I applaud Pep for not playing our strongest team and I know that's not popular. Next season, I think Chelsea will push us hard for the title - he's a superb manager.
However, all that said, I don't understand with Pep why if we are going to rotate a lot of players why they can't slip into the system we were playing, the "4-6-0". Why change it to a back 3? It just didn't work - again. What has he learnt about Ake for example? Nothing. We have no idea if he can play in the "4-6-0" after that game. What does worry me about City is that when we have an off day, the whole team has an off day. It's like they all go out determined to have bad days. Pep has this in his locker - I assume it's the ability to overthink and force a system on players they just are plainly unable to play.
I was really angry about the penalty though. That really, really pissed me off. It was arrogant to do it, but to do it so badly the keeper had time to go down and back up again was something else. I don't think we will see Aguero after that and it's no way to end his City career. I was angry, but also gutted. What a way for a legend to bow out. I don't mind a penalty being missed if it's on target and hit hard, the keeper can get lucky. Whoever is our penalty coach needs sacking. In fact, I'd even look at fining players if they don't take penalties seriously.
I've had my fill now of Mendy. He's not going to be the player he was. We should be looking at the left backs in the academy and if they aren't better than Mendy now, sell the lot. Cancelo is another one for me who can go in summer. Looked great at times this season, but he's so inconsistent and I don't like his attitude.
I was pleased to see Sterling score, I think he's a good player in bad form at the minute. If he can find his touch again before the final, he is a great player.
Overall, I'll take that loss. The CL final will be a different game when we have Dias, Stones, Walker, KdB, Silva, Foden, Fernandinho, Gundogan and Mahrez etc playing. This lot are the ones who win the big games time and time again. Tuchel will find that his midfield is overrun, there's no Mendy or Cancelo to take the piss out of every few minutes either.
Heads and chins up blues!
COME ON CITY!!!
