Everyone associated with Manchester City knew that the 11-day period in which the Blues faced both Atletico Madrid and Liverpool twice was going to be tough, so it perhaps comes as no surprise that the cracks are beginning to show.
After victory against Atletico in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie and a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League, City made it through to the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition by the skin of their teeth.
Pep Guardiola's side were unable to function in the face of unrelenting Atletico pressure in the second half, so much so that they were dragged into employing the very gamesmanship tactics made famous by their opponents. A goalless draw was enough to see City through, but it came at a cost.
