Nathan Ake reveals the Man City game that led to…

Nathan Ake reveals the Man City game that led to private meetings that inspired title charge

Nathan Ake says Manchester City players held a number of meetings after the club’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest in February to refocus their title efforts.

The Blues had dominated the game at the City Ground, enjoying 73 per cent possession and firing in 23 shots, but ultimately conceded a late Chris Wood goal to share the spoils. City’s last defeat to date came three matches before that trip, going down 1-0 to Tottenham.

A 3-1 win over Aston Villa followed before the memorable 3-1 win at the Emirates against Arsenal. But the draw with Forest looked to have rocked their title charge and Ake has revealed the players knew something had to be done.

ALSO READ: What City have got right with Haaland off the pitch this season

The defender told the BBC how that game provided a wake-up call to the City squad as they tried to chase down Arsenal.

Speaking about the post-Forest response, Ake said: “Yeah, [there were] a few meetings, to be fair. Especially during that period of the season, I think we were winning some games comfortably and others we would lose.

“It was a little bit up and down whereas normally we are a bit more stable. At that period, I think we had just won against Arsenal. So we did something really well and then you draw away at Nottingham.

“Obviously it is a tough place to go but that game especially we should have scored so many more goals. I think that set us off. Everyone was talking in the changing room.

“I think there have been some videos of leaders in our team - [Ilkay] Gundogan, Rodri, Ruben [Dias] - who lead the way. They made sure everyone was on it and refocused. We made sure we put a run together as we did in the end.”

Ake had scored the winner in City’s fourth round FA Cup tie with Arsenal a fortnight earlier. He gave credit to Mikel Arteta’s side for the title fight but said City were always confident of a catch-up.

He added: “Arsenal have been incredible this whole season. They are a fantastic team and pushed us all the way and at one point they were quite a few points ahead of us.

“At that point [vs Forest] we were just focusing on ourselves as we knew it wasn’t really in our hands. We could only make sure to put a run together and put pressure on them, and in the end that’s what we did.

“When they recently drew a few games in a row, you could see the table getting closer and closer. That pushes you on more, gives you even more belief. I think it gives you an extra bit of motivation to keep on pushing and that anything is possible.

“We always believed during the season that we could put this kind of run together, we’ve done it every season where we’ve won many games in a row.”

ALSO READ:

See Bet365's new account offer: https://www.bet365.com/olp/soccer?affiliate=365_01330512

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here