Manchester City have struggled at the start of the 2020/21 English Premier League season. Having played 13 matches this season, the Sky Blues currently find themselves in eighth place, although they have a game in hand. They have scored significantly fewer goals this season, and they seem to be lacking an offensive edge. City have already earned five draws this season, more than what they earned in 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 seasons.
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Their form in cup competitions, however, has been superb. During the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stages, Manchester City were paired with Porto, Olympiacos, and Marseille. The Sky Blues kept a clean sheet in five of their six matches and conceded only one goal in these six games. They also won five of their six games and drew the remaining match. These strong performances saw Manchester City win their group, and this will see them take on Borussia Mönchengladbach in the competition’s knockout stages.
Outside of the Champions League, the Sky Blues have gone on a strong run in the 2020/21 Carabao Cup. The Mancunian club entered the competition in the Third Round, where they defeated AFC Bournemouth. City then beat Burnley in the competition’s Fourth Round before dismantling Arsenal in the Carabao Cup’s Quarterfinals.
Critics will argue that Manchester City have not faced any difficult opponents in either the Champions League or Carabao Cup this season, but to win tournaments and trophies, teams need to overcome their competitors. City have done exactly that. The Sky Blues have comprehensively defeated their opponents in both the Champions League’s group stages and three different stages in the Carabao Cup. They will now anxiously await the other Carabao Cup Quarterfinal results. While Manchester City defeated Arsenal, Brentford saw off Newcastle United. The remaining two quarterfinal matches will see Stoke City host Tottenham Hotspur while Manchester United travel to Everton.
Overall, Manchester City have gone on a strong run thus far in both the Champions League and the Europa League. They will compete against Gladbach in the Champions League’s Round of 16 while they have also progressed to the Carabao Cup’s Semifinal. Finally, Manchester City will have an opportunity for the fourth piece of silverware as they enter the 2020/21 FA Cup Third Round. The Sky Blues will host Birmingham City in January 2021.
How will Manchester City fare in these competitions? Will their strong form result in more silverware this season?