While Man City fans are no doubt nervous ahead of tonight’s massive game against Real Madrid, a couple of key stats will no doubt give them plenty of confidence, as not only have they won every home game in 2023, but they haven’t lost in the Champions League there in five whole years.
I mean, City have put up some seriously impressive statistics over the past few years but wow.
The Blues are back on top of the Premier League after Arsenal’s title charge seemingly came to an on Sunday and a big part of that recovery over the season is down to their home form, having won every single home game this year and only dropping points on two occasions all season.
The last result at home that wasn’t a win came on New Year’s Eve when they drew 1-1 with Everton and before that was a 2-1 loss to Brentford. Since then, they’ve been unstoppable at the Etihad and as if that wasn’t impressive enough, their performance at home in the Champions League is equally remarkable.
– City have lost only 1 game at the Etihad this season. – The last time City lost a Champions League game at the Etihad was in April 2018. – Real Madrid have never won at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/EpL7PvC7JG
Yeah, Man City’s UCL record at home is pretty solid.
Rather unbelievably, Pep Guardiola‘s side haven’t lost a single home in the UCL since 2018 when they were beaten 2-1 by Lyon in their opening match of the group stages. That’s 25 home games unbeaten on the biggest stage in Europe. Crikey.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the years following that blip, they’ve gone on to reach the round of 16, quarter-finals and semis three times each, as well as the final in the 2020/21 season when they narrowly missed out on the trophy after a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
It’s also worth noting that Real Madrid themselves have never won on any of their four visits to the Etihad Stadium — a stat that City fans will no doubt be pleased to hear, especially in such a rich vein of form overall, let alone when playing at home.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for Pep, he knows not only how massive this game is for the club who are still chasing that first Champions League, but both him and City as they could potentially win the coveted treble which would put them up there as one of the greatest sides of all time. However, he does not believe these next few games with “define [their] legacy”.
🗣 "Our legacy is exceptional already." 💪
Pep Guardiola does not believe the next month will define his or Manchester City's footballing legacy pic.twitter.com/bKqylEirhp
It might have been a close run affair away at the Bernabéu, with both sides taking just one goal into the decisive second leg, but City still have time to not only win but even live up to Wayne Rooney’s prediction and “blow Madrid away” in tonight’s home tie.
Stranger things have happened.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pep has already promised he has no plans to ‘overthink’ this one or try any new tactics with this one either. His game plan, as far as he would let on, is simple: play “fluid” and “play a little better” than last time”.
What do you reckon, is this the year Man City final win the Champions League?
Featured Image — Manchester City (via Twitter)/UEFA
Sport
Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes rolls back the years and goes to work at Flat Baker in Ancoats
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Matheus Nunes has already impressed many during his short time at the Etihad so far, but he impressed a few more this weekend not with his skills on the pitch but in the kitchen after moonlighting at a popular Manchester bakery, The Flat Baker in Ancoats.
The recent Man City signing might only have the one assist to his name during his time as a Blue thus far, but he’s served up more than a baker’s dozen to local Manc residents thanks to a quick shift as a pastry chef this past weekend.
However, it was by no means his first time in the kitchen, as Nunes revealed that he used to work in a bakery during the earlier days of his footballing career.
Getting put to work on one of The Flat Baker‘s bestsellers, their unbelievably addictive pastel de natas — trust us, they’re utterly sinful these things — the bakery’s owners Débora and her husband, also called Matheus, got the City star back up to speed. You can see the full video here:
Matheus Nunes surprised a fair few locals after popping up at this beloved Manc bakery.
That being said, as you can see, the 25-year-old midfielder was a bit of a dab hand after a few goes at it; the fact he not only had prior experience but also shares the same heritage as the bakery’s founders no doubt helped.
Born in Brazil but raised in Portugal — two places where these unmistakable sweet treats are most famous — Nunes explained how he, his mother and English step-father moved to Europe for “a better life” and to help his chances of becoming a footballer.
The former Wolves player went on to explain how he “failed a lot in school” and eventually his mum gave him a choice: “give up football or school, in order to start working”.
Starting out in his godfather’s bakery, he went on to spend a fair bit of time making bread and pastries and even appeared in a similar video back in Portugal after signing for Sporting Lisbon.
Naturally, the trio did eventually touch on football a little bit, with Nunes discussing what it’s like to play under Pep Guardiola and how nice it’s been to arrive at a club where there are plenty of Portuguese-speaking players like Ederson, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and others.
Débora also joked about how he has fared getting used to ‘Rainchester’ and he was polite enough to smile it off and simply reiterated that playing for City was oppurtunity he culdn’t pass up.
So, if things don’t work out in the Premier League, he can always swap the sky blue shirt of city for a lovely chef’s apron and help out over at The Flat Baker.
Featured Image — Manchester City/Sporting Club de Portugal (via YouTube)
Sport
Tributes pour in for Manchester City legend and former chairman Franny Lee
Danny Jones
Tributes are being paid to Manchester City legend and former chairman Francis ‘Franny’ Lee CBE, who has passed away aged 79.
The ex-Man City, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County and England star is said to have passed away in the early hours on Monday morning, 2 October, following a long battle with cancer.
Speaking via a club statement, his wife Gill along with children Charlotte, Jonny and Nik said, “He will be sorely missed and would like to thank everyone for their kind words”.
Both Manchester teams led tributes to the British footballing legend, with avid City fan Liam Gallagher and countless others joining in paying their respects.
Sending our sincere condolences to the loved ones of Francis and everyone connected with Manchester City at this terribly sad time 🙏
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Francis Lee at the age of 79. Franny won 27 caps and scored ten goals for the #ThreeLions between 1968 and 1972.
Social media has been filled with tributes following news of Franny Lee’s death.
Franny Lee scored 148 goals in 330 appearances during eight-year City, helping the club win multiple honours during their first periods of success, including the old First Division title back in 1968.
Born in Lancashire and starting out elsewhere in Greater Manchester at Bolton Wanderers, he also went on to play for Derby following his time with the Blues, helping the Rams to their second-ever title in 1975.
The striker also had 27 caps for England between 1968–1972, scoring 10 goals and winning FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Charity Shield twice at club level during that period.
Honouring their former centre-forward who went on to serve as Chairman for four years from 1994 onwards, the club statement read, “It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and Chairman Francis Lee, aged 79”, adding that flags around the Etihad Campus are flying at half-mast.
His first club, Bolton, said of the former marksman, “All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis’ family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”
As for legacy as for his time in Blue, the club had already planned to immortalise Lee prior to his death, announcing the erection of a statue back in May 2022, the reveal date of which will no doubt be moved up following his passing.
The club has also assured that “more tributes will follow in the coming days.”
Rest in peace to a legend.
Featured Image — Manchester City/England/Bolton Wanderers (via Twitter)
Danny Jones -
17th May 2023 
