While Manchester City fans might call this a "down" year, their version of struggle still includes an FA Cup final and Champions League qualification—a stark contrast to other Premier League "Big Six" clubs facing genuine crises.
Pep Guardiola admitted this hasn’t been their strongest campaign, with injuries ravaging the squad (only three starters from last year’s FA Cup semi-final remained) and Liverpool running away with the league. Yet, City’s 2-0 semifinal win over Nottingham Forest at Wembley kept silverware hopes alive, and a top-four finish is within reach.
"We define success by the Premier League, and this season, we couldn’t find consistency," Guardiola said post-match. "But securing UCL football and competing for the FA Cup means the damage isn’t catastrophic."
Tactical adaptability defined their semifinal victory:
Deployed midfielders (Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly) as full-backs
Used Rico Lewis in midfield to neutralize Forest’s attack
Early goals from Lewis and Joško Gvardiol sealed the win
While Forest’s Gibbs-White rattled the woodwork twice, City’s control never wavered. Now, a May 25 final against Crystal Palace offers a chance to salvage pride.
For context: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man United have endured trophy-less seasons, while Spurs’ UCL hopes hang by a thread. City’s "worst" year? Still elite by comparison.
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