- Nuno Espirito Santo was strongly praised by Man City after Forest’s victory 1-0
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Say what you want at Manchester City, they are usually very good losers. Very graceful in general. Tightening this particular art with considerable practice, this marked a ninth defeat of the year – more than the combined previous two seasons.
Pep Guardiola never complains – saving complaints to victories – and players tend to lift their hands, even if Ruben Dias has questioned Nottingham Forest’s dry throw on another day of slow frustration for the deposit champions, now 23 points behind Liverpool.
Respect for the opponent is a Mantra City Live, a message coming from the top and was in action in the parking lot on Saturday afternoon. Txiki Begiristain, the outgoing director of football, went around to catch Nuno Espirito Santo. Begistarin offered his congratulations, affectionately scratching the beard of the Portuguese, the pair talking for a few minutes and hugging it. There was a genuine heat when Begiristain’s mind will be running.
Despite the winner of Callum Hudson-Odoi, the circumstances that the city will feel were avoidable and a general discomfort of possession, they clearly recognize the story in the city, planned by an unrasid manager who leads the bet on the Sack Race last summer.
Nuno received the acclamation of Begiristain graciously. Measured in its acceptance, more measured than the fireworks that come out by Radcliffe Road full time. Those were lit when Forest got a draw in the same game two years ago, but felt much more worthy.
Manchester City was kind in defeat after Nottingham Forest’s huge victory 1-0 on Saturday
Pep Guardiola’s side fell 23 points behind Liverpool and saw his four main hopes to scam
Florest, in third place, is just a few victories of the historical qualification of the Champions League
Is this the day when they cemented the Champions League qualification? It seems close now, the prominent story of the 1979 Division campaign, 1980 and all this. The city terrain trembled on Saturday; Imagine your foundations if and when a European heavyweight appears on a Tuesday night in six months.
The Forest manager seemed less reserved inside the dressing room, it should be said, grooving to songs like Ola Aina Aina, with joy, and it is good to see that Nuno occasionally allows his personality.
Difficult not, when all supporters remain placed in the final whistle to roar their team in the tunnel. It was really a vision of seeing, an emotional moment when reality seemed to be hitting thousands in a wave.
With the fifth almost enough to make the Champions League – which will have relief to City – and the difference to the sixth now five points, Forest will need some more wins. At this point, anything less than finishing work would be a failure, no matter how hard it may seem.
The city was also kicked, if they didn’t solve it. After Brighton in shape next weekend, the meeting is favorable to Guardiola after a list of punitive games, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and this opposite in Midlands.
Guardiola says he’s in his hands and, of course, he is correct. If City appears in these 10 games, they will be in this competition for the 15th consecutive year. Fifteen. Maybe they are really due to losing.
There are things to fix. More courage on the ball, for beginners, and it was annoying to watch Bruyne’s substitute Kevin trying to direct traffic – pointing to where he wanted runners – while driving ahead with the ball. The city is usually synchronized, but not here and not this season.
