The mental vulnerability permeates a former infallible team of Manchester City meant that it took a poor quality kick to trigger another collapse in the middle of the week.
In the blink of an eye, an advantage of 2-1 became an astonishing 3-2 deficit while Real Madrid took total control of their equality in the Champions League.
Things are not better in the Premier League, with a fifth consecutive title of the agenda after an indifferent form to say the least. One finish among the first four is still in the reticle, however, which makes the match on Saturday with Newcastle in Newcastle.
Here’s how Pep Guardiola could line his side, with an eye without a doubt on the return leg with Real Madrid.
GK: Ederson – The Brazilian was good for 85 minutes on Tuesday evening, but played a major role in the late collapse of the city. We will expect it to start in Madrid, so Guardiola may need good performance here to restore some confidence.
RB: Rico Lewis – Manuel Akanji’s injury problems are likely to give Rico Lewis, who was sold short by Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the week, the starting concert at the right back.
CB: Ruben Dias – The main man of the city in the back became Italian after the late winner of Jude Bellingham, who apparently left another capitulation dismayed.
CB: Nathan AKE – AKE’s minutes are managed, for only an hour in the week, but we were able to see the Dutchman keep his place this weekend and get an hour to his credit.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – Gvardiol was majestic in the head of Erling Haaland’s very first goal against Real Madrid, and was one of the city’s stars overnight.
DM: John Stones – Stones looked at the base of the midfielder against Madrid, and we could see the English start in the middle of the park on Saturday. The pressing of Newcastle will put Barnsley’s response to Franz Beckenbauer to the test.
RM: Savinho – The Brazilian live live has been a brilliant spark this season, especially in recent weeks. The only thing that is missing in Savinho’s game is more goals.
CM: Phil Foden – Foden played a large part of Tuesday’s first stage following Jack Grenish’s injury, and will probably derive in a central position against the Magpies.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – With the age that catches up with Kevin de Bruyne’s legs, the Belgian, for his entire class, can be seated in favor of a Gundogan return.
LM: Omar Marmoush – With Grenalish probably out and Jeremy Doku who has not been since his return from injury, Marmoush is online for another League departure.
St: Erling Haaland – Haaland was helpless when City invented to make a position of force the last time, his two goals putting the perennial champions in front. The striker could face an exhausted defense of Newcastle on Saturday.
