Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has called on his team to “show character” in the wake of their astonishing 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League. The result extended City’s winless run to six games, piling pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Ake spoke candidly to Amazon Prime about the team’s current predicament, suggesting that a mental hurdle might be part of the issue. “Maybe it is,” he admitted. “It is difficult to say. Obviously, we have not been in this situation many times, but this is where we have to show our character.”
The 2023 European champions appeared on course to secure a much-needed victory to rejuvenate their faltering season, but the dramatic fightback from the Eredivisie outfit has put further pressure on Guardiola’s side.
Ake emphasized the need for City to stay strong mentally and believe in themselves. “When everything seems to go against us and everyone is writing us off, we have to stay strong mentally, believe in ourselves, and stick together,” he said.
The defender also drew on past experiences, noting that City have faced similar challenges before. “Every season, there is a period when they write us off,” he said. “We have to make sure we stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of it.”
Ake’s comments come ahead of City’s crucial clash with Liverpool, which is expected to be a stern test for Guardiola’s side. The Reds are currently top of the Premier League table, while City are struggling to find consistency.
The 3-3 draw with Feyenoord was a stark reminder of City’s current struggles, with the team squandering a 3-0 lead to allow the Dutch side to mount an incredible comeback.
Ake’s call to action is a timely reminder that City need to dig deep and find the character to overcome their current challenges. With the Liverpool clash looming, City will need to be at their best to secure a much-needed victory.
The match against Liverpool will be a crucial test of City’s mettle, and Ake’s comments suggest that the team is ready to rise to the challenge. “We have to stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of it,” he said.
