Surely they couldn't pull this off?
Well the history is on the Citizens side
There’s a Blue Moon threatening to rise across Europe. Usually that happens once every three years. Kind of like Newcastle sacking a manager. But after a thrilling game in Parc De Princes last Wednesday, Man City have a great chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history and become the first English side in three years to do so. We’ve a first goalscorer bet which is surprisingly 4/1.
City’s defence had a really mixed night in the French capital. On the one hand, Joe Hart saved a Zlatan penalty and pulled off a couple of good saves. On the other hand, both PSG goals were preventable. Fernando seemingly forgot that Zlatan actually plays for the other team and Hart gave Rabiot an easier tap in than Ernie Els.
Kevin De Bruyne once again proved his worth to Manuel Pellegrini, scoring and touching the ball more than any City player in the first half. One thing that’s on City’s is that in the last 16 seasons, on only three occasions has an away side drawn and then failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Porto drew 2-2 with Man United in Old Trafford but then lost 1-0 at home in 2009. United went on to win the tournament. In 2007 Bayern had the same first leg result in the San Siro. Milan beat them 2-0 in the Allianz Arena. Milan went on to win the tournament.
We’re not saying anything, but City’s odds of to win it outright don’t look too bad.
Much like De Bruyne with Man City, if Ibrahimovic isn’t firing then PSG don’t fire. That much was proved last week. As soon as Zlatan missed the penalty his head dropped and he became erratic. But don’t think that it’s a blip. Ask any French defence this season and they’ll tell you that Zlatan could play crap for 90 minutes and then hammer in a 35 yard thunderbastard. Then he’d take everyones mother out for a nice seafood dinner and never call them again.
The Parisians have been in this situation before and won’t want a repeat of it. In 2013 they drew 2-2 at home to Barcelona and subsequently drew the second leg 1-1, exiting the competition on away goals. They’re trying to get to their second semi final having reached the penultimate round in the 1994-1995 season.
Everyone’s bored of them dominating France. They have to start showing their muscle in Europe.
Instead of KDB, we’re tipping Sergio Aguero as first goalscorer at odds of. He showed again at the weekend that he has the quality to run the show when he wants. Zlatan is the same odds and should he or PSG get the first goal then we’ll see a really interesting tactical battle. City fell behind against West Brom but wore them down. PSG beat Guingamp 2-0
PSG need to score a goal. City will want to stamp their authority. The odds of for City to win with over 2.5 goals is tempting, as is a 2-1 scoreline at .