Poyet said: “I understand the situation because when we were analysing the Republic of Ireland, we had the impression that you were really playing football with the ball on the floor, playing through the thirds, going wide, putting players in the box and I was happy because of the way that you played. Opposite number Gus Poyet analysed Ireland closely as he prepared for the game, but admitted the rigours of international football can take their toll on even the best-laid plans. “But because we’d given them that goal after half-time, they could sit off a little bit and just protect it and hit us on the counter then for periods, so we made life difficult for ourselves.” We had efforts on goal, but we needed to create more than we did. However at the OPAP Arena, 18-year-old striker Evan Ferguson, who has enjoyed a stellar season in the Premier League with Brighton, was starved of meaningful possession as Kenny’s midfield was overrun and his defence dismantled with Trabzonspor’s Tasos Bakasetas and Olympiakos midfielder Giorgos Masouras their principal tormentors.Ī downbeat Kenny said: “We didn’t create enough chances, we didn’t and that was disappointing. He has made it his aim to produce a team which plays enterprising, attacking football and handed that responsibility in part to players plucked from the under-21 ranks. It is not the first time during his reign that Kenny has felt the need to voice similar sentiments after being asked similar questions and that is a reflection of the success or otherwise of a project which has laudable aims, but is short on tangible results. “I have to get ready for Monday now and just get the squad ready for the game against Gibraltar, which is a game of course that we have to win. I hear what you’re saying – I’m disappointed with the game, I’m not concerned about myself at the moment. However, asked if he was concerned about his future, the 51-year-old replied: “I’m disappointed with the game. It is all part of the journey and at this moment it is magical for City fans.”Ī defiant Stephen Kenny has vowed to press on with his Republic of Ireland mission despite seeing his hopes of Euro 2024 qualification torn to shreds in Greece.įriday night’s defeat in Athens – coupled with a 1-0 reverse at the hands of World Cup finalists France in Dublin in their opening fixture – means the odds are even more heavily stacked against Ireland that they were when they were initially pitched into Group B battle with both Didier Deschamps’ men and the Netherlands.įor Kenny, who took over as manager in 2020 and targeted qualification in this campaign as his initial end goal, a return of just four wins in 23 competitive matches has refuelled the fires of his critics and anything less than a comprehensive victory over minnows Gibraltar on Monday evening would represent the final straw for many. ![]() ![]() “There are good times, bad times, indifferent and incredible times. “There were 32, 33, 34,000 every week cheering us on. The stigma City had to carry being in that second division, especially when their rivals won the treble – it was so difficult for City fans at the time but they stuck with the club. Their revival began when they beat Gillingham in a play-off final to secure promotion at the end of that 1998-99 campaign and Morrison, who led the team at Wembley, says the journey since has been extraordinary. United’s success came when City were at one of the lowest points in their history, having sunk to the third tier of the English game. “It’s a knockout competition and it’s so hard but they’ve done it once now and will believe they can do it again.”Ĭity’s triumph saw them become only the second side to win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season, emulating the achievement of rivals Manchester United in 1999. “He’s spoken this week about the two years left on his contract and he’ll want back-to-back (Champions League) titles. It’s in his DNA and he’s done it all his career. “It is so important to him to keep winning. “They’ll have a break but then start again next season. It was physically draining and even more so mentally. ![]() What they’ve done in the last four months has been miraculous. Morrison told the PA news agency: “The celebrations are well deserved. Victory marked the end of a long quest for the club and Morrison does not think City, and their inspirational manager Pep Guardiola, will rest on their laurels. Former captain Andy Morrison expects Manchester City’s Champions League triumph to open the door to many more European successes.Ĭity are celebrating becoming continental kings for the first time, as well as a memorable treble, after beating Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday.
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