Manchester City may have dominated the Premier League last season, but their performances since then have raised plenty of eyebrows.
According to Roy Keane, their decline began right after their celebratory night out following their historic fourth consecutive league title.
Another Blow in a Tough Season
City’s struggles were on full display once again on Tuesday night when they let a lead slip against Real Madrid, ultimately suffering a painful 3-2 defeat at home.
This latest setback adds to a series of disappointing results, including heavy losses to Arsenal (5-1) and PSG (4-2), a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, and a dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord.
Pep Guardiola’s squad, known for their dominance in recent years, now appears vulnerable, particularly in big games both domestically and in Europe.
Roy Keane’s Blunt Assessment
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his criticism, pointing fingers at City’s extravagant title celebrations as the turning point in their fortunes.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane questioned whether City has truly performed at their usual high standards since that night out.
“When Manchester City won the league last year and then lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, they had already been out on the p*** – which was well documented,” Keane remarked.
“Since then, have they really been the same? Have they played any game this year where you’ve thought, ‘Yeah, they’re still at their best?’”
A Celebration to Remember – But at What Cost?
After securing the league title, City’s players wasted no time enjoying their achievement.
The celebrations started in the dressing room and carried on through the night, ending at 5 AM at Greek restaurant Fenix, where players partied with their partners.
The following week, they looked sluggish in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, prompting some fans to wonder if their celebrations had taken a toll.
Images from that night showed key players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne looking worse for wear, adding fuel to the speculation that their title-winning party may have contributed to their struggles this season.
City Players Struggling for Answers
While Keane believes he has pinpointed the problem, City defender Nathan Ake admits the team is still searching for answers.
Speaking after the Real Madrid loss, Ake expressed frustration at their inability to close out games, especially when conceding late goals has become a recurring issue.
“To give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take, especially because it’s happened a few times this season.
We haven’t learned from it yet, so we need to fix it as soon as possible,” Ake admitted.
When asked why these issues keep happening, Ake acknowledged that the team is still struggling to find a solution.
“It’s difficult. We’re trying to figure it out. It’s the little details. Some games you can get away with it, but against top teams like Madrid, you won’t.”
Defensive Concerns Grow
Ake also raised concerns about how easily Real Madrid broke through City’s defense, noting that Madrid managed 20 attempts on goal, with eight on target.
“Against these types of players, you’re going to concede chances.
They have top forwards, but we have to do better collectively as defenders and as a team,” he said.
“Most of the time, we did well to keep them out – Eddy made some big saves, and we put in a few tackles. But in the end, we were winning 2-1 and still lost. That’s the biggest issue.”
What’s Next for City?
With crucial fixtures ahead, City needs to address their issues fast.
Guardiola’s squad has the talent to bounce back, but whether they can rediscover their dominant form remains to be seen.
If Keane’s theory holds any weight, they may still be suffering the effects of last season’s celebrations.
Either way, time is running out for them to turn things around.
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