Ghostly.
Non-existent.
Only the shadow of themselves.
There is no word for the poor performance of the Citizens in the first period, Sunday against Aston Villa in the "final" of the Premier League.
At the top of the standings after 37 days, Manchester City is assured of the title if successful, without even watching the match against Liverpool, second in the championship by one point.
Only in the face of pressure, Pep Guardiola's players cannot do it.
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In the first period, carried by a noisy Etihad and already certain of the title, the SkyBlues did not manage to develop their usual game.
Pep Guardiola's players are content to spin the ball (72% possession) but do not find the fault, despite nine attempts.
However, too many inaccuracies (one shot on target) and precipitation (six shots blocked).
Opposite, Aston Villa, 12th at kickoff and who has nothing left to play, will turn their backs.
Better than that, Steven Gerrard's players opened the scoring against all odds thanks to Matty Cash (37th), on a final cross from Lucas Digne.
Change from the break
SkyBlues are cold picked.
The atmosphere is frozen in the enclosure of the North of England.
Injured in the ankle since April 13, and a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, Kyle Walker is back in the squad.
However, the English defender, certainly too fair, remains on the bench.
The Catalan manager aligns an unprecedented defense.
Fernandinho, captain for his last at the club, is in central defense.
John Stones takes place on the right.
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This unprecedented defense does not hold.
Like the goal conceded, on which the two side are at fault.
Back from the locker room, Oleksandr Zinchenko replaces Fernandinho.
The Ukrainian then takes place on the left of the defense.
John Stones slips to center.
Joao Cancelo finds his right lane.
And it is much better.
A first change that will bring stability, confidence and an important offensive drive.
Manchester City is better but Manchester City is shaking and suffocating.
Pep Guardiola doesn't wait long to make his second change.
Raheem Sterling replaced Riyad Mahrez in the 55th minute of play. Finally, the Catalan coach made his third substitution in the 68th minute.
Ilkay Gundogan replaces Bernardo Silva.
A replacement a priori defensive, but which will make all the difference.
Six minutes to change history
After a gag action, Philippe Coutinho, the former Liverpool midfielder, recovers a deep ball and adjusts Ederson to allow Aston Villa to lead 2-0, in all surprise, against the court of the game. Steven Gerrard, him former captain of the Reds, is then very close to offering a new title to Liverpool.
Only, Manchester City, as a great champion, bends but does not break.
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Raheem Sterling fires the first wick.
Also a former Reds player, gets into action on his right wing.
The English triggers a cross and Ilkay Gündogan, alone at the first post will smash his head (76th) to give hope to a whole people.
The last two entrants into action.
A few seconds later, it's Oleksander Zinchenko who will get involved.
The Ukrainian defender, returned after the break, finds Rodri behind.
The Spanish midfielder, at the entrance to the area, triggers a heavy strike (78th) and allows City to equalize.
The Etihad capsized, before exploding.
Rodri harangues the crowd before the equaliser.
Panoramic
After a high recovery, Kevin De Bruyne, elected player of the year in the Premier League, will send a ball back for Ilkay Gündogan.
Him again.
The former Dortmund player, ex-protege of Klopp, offers himself a double (81st) and victory at Manchester City.
Three goals in five minutes and 39 seconds of play. The eighth coronation in club history, the sixth in ten years.
“It was a bit of a panic”
“
These guys are legends,
entrusts Pep Guardiola admiringly.
Winning in this country, the Premier League, four times in five years is because these guys are so, so special.
We will be remembered for a long time
, ”explained the Catalan, very moved, at the microphone of Sky Sports.
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"
Maybe (City panicked) once or twice, but that's normal in this situation.
We tried to stay as calm as possible, but sometimes it was a bit panicky
, confessed Kevin De Bruyne after the match.
At 2-1, it just changed the whole situation for me.
The stadium, the atmosphere, the players change.
We never looked back from there.
»
Entering the game at the break, and decisive with a final pass, Oleksandr Zinchenko paid tribute to his country.
“
I am so proud to be Ukrainian and I would like to bring this title to Ukraine one day because they deserve it.
What people gave me and what they did for me during this time, the hardest time of my life, I am so grateful and I will never forget that, never in my life.
»
In tears after the victory, Oleksandr Zinchenko covered the trophy with a Ukrainian flag.
OLI SCARFF / AFP
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