Mourinho did us a massive favour, and I'll admit, that was probably the first time I actually wanted United to win against an opponent.
City returned home after our 3-0 battering with their stubborness and pride already working on recovering their momentum.
A few days later, and the 0-3 deficit had become simply a "bad 45 mins", or "a small blip". They were storming through the league, winning at home, and bar the two away games against us, were looking near on invincible. Win against United and they would be hosting us as the newly crowned League champions, having cemented the title in front of their fans and against their biggest opponents. They would have strolled into their match against us on a high, with their sole energy focused on beating us.
Instead, the worst that could have happened, did. 2-0 lead, on the verge of confirming themselves as champs with the added bonus of thrashing United at home, they bottled it. In fact, they bottled it when there really wasn't that much pressure on them. They simply stopped playing for another half of football and once United got the momentum, City just weren't up for the fight. They blew a 2-0 lead that would have cemented their trophy in front of their fans. And they did it against their biggest rivals. A few days after getting a drubbing by us in Europe. A few days from facing us in Europe.
Two matches, against two rivals, in two very important moments of the season, and in both games they conceded 3 goals in a 45 minute period. How confident must they feel that they won't concede a goal during the nxt 90 mins? Just as importantly, how confident will their fans feel? They could rack up a 3 goal lead and still be feeling the nerves, almost anticipating the inevitable blitz heading their way. Cheers Mourinho, you whiney, narcissistic, bugger.
As for us, one goal will do. Even the threat of one goal will do. Thankfully, we don't even have to play defensive. Just play our game, pressure high, quick transitions, and capitalise on their absolute imperative need to score. I actually think the first 45 mins will be more important than the last 45 mins. If we can keep them at a distance, or even score a goal, we'll leave them going gung ho attacking wise in the 2nd half, which will only serve to play into our hands.
Let's just hope our key players are healthy. The midfield trio of Milner, Wijnaldum, and Ox, will be an interesting one to see in combo. Though I think the way Robertson and Trent cope with the wingers might be the key difference in the game. Hopefully Salah is fit and starting as that changes the whole complexion of our attacking threat. We became a different team after he went off.
How wonderful it is. After all these years, we're one game away from the semi finals, holding a 3-0 goal advantage.
How I've missed these sorts of pressure games under the night lights.
And fantastic OP.