It was there. It was within their grasp. So close, they could almost feel it. So close, they could picture the stadium, decked in sky blue and red on May 28. Liverpool versus…
Hold on. That’s where the dream died. It will not be Manchester City in Paris, creating a third all-English final in four years. It is Real Madrid who will face down Liverpool, perhaps on the brink of a quadruple if this sucks as much life from the title race as it could.
This was simply a devastating defeat for Manchester City. Not just its consequence but its manner.