Micah Richards has made a big Premier League title prediction in the aftermath of Manchester City’s defeat against Real Madrid.
City looked set to book their place in the final of the Champions League on Wednesday night. They were 5-4 ahead on aggregate heading into stoppage time.
But Rodrygo scored two late goals to take the tie into extra-time. Karim Benzema then scored a penalty for Real Madrid to see them past Man City after extra-time.
Real Madrid pressed down on the clutch to show us all what we don’t know
City’s focus now switches back to the Premier League. They host Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Before then, Liverpool face Antonio Conte’s Tottenham. If the Reds win – having played a game more – they will move two points above Man City.
Richards reflected on the loss to Real Madrid and looked ahead to the Newcastle game for The Daily Mail.
He thinks if Man City beat Newcastle, they will “go on to become champions”:
“Honestly, I can’t make sense of it. Part of me wonders whether playing in the Premier League, where they are so good at winning the ball back high up the pitch and they enjoy such possession, lulls them into a false sense of security in European games,” Richards said.
“It’s indisputable that City concede too many goals in these kinds of games. Look at the trend in knockout fixtures that have ended in defeat — six v Monaco (2017), five v Liverpool (2018), four v Tottenham (2019), three against Lyon (2020), now six v Real.
“This suggests that in the biggest of games, against the very best of opponents, they have found it difficult to defend at the level we have become accustomed to seeing on the domestic front.
“Until that ruthlessness returns in front of goal, something so clearly missing against Real, they run the risk of experiencing further nights like Wednesday. What will it mean for the Premier League? We will know on Sunday.
“The stadium will have to be alive because the players will need…
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