MICAH RICHARDS does NOT think Manchester City will win the Treble.
And he pinpointed the Real Madrid showdown as the stumbling block.
City returned to the top of the Premier League tonight with a 3-0 win over West Ham.
Erling Haaland got his record-breaking 35th league goal of the season and Phil Foden volleyed in the 1,000th of Pep Guardiola’s Etihad reign.
His side are a point clear of Arsenal with a game in hand and face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.
However, they go up against Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final.
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And Richards, 34, is concerned they could come unstuck against Carlo Ancelotti’s men again – just as they did at the same stage a year ago, despite leading 5-3 on aggregate with a minute to go in the Bernabeu.
He does not think Guardiola will let lightning strike twice – but is not confident his beloved City can get past the 14-time European champions.
Speaking before the West Ham win, the former right-back told the Filthy Fellas podcast: “I don’t think they’re going to do the Treble.
“I am worried about that game [vs Real Madrid].
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“I’m worried. I’m worried, man. I’m worried.
“I’ve got to be honest – I am worried about them, I wrote off Real Madrid last season.
“In the right moments, they know how to get it done.
“The only thing is now, the second leg is at the Etihad, it’s not at the Bernabeu. That could be the difference.
“The double, the double [City will win], I don’t think the treble.
“It’s tough to call [who will win the Premier League] you know.
“But the thing is, Man City are in the form of their lives – they have come with the best form at the right part, at the end of the season.”
City were all smiles as they eventually broke down a resilient West Ham side.
Nathan Ake headed in the opener on 50 minutes but it was Haaland’s delightful chip 20 minutes later that surpassed Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s tallies to prompt a guard of honour after full-time.
Phil Foden wrapped up the victory with a deflected volley.
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But Richards – covering the game for Sky Sports – had a shocker before the game even got underway.
He somehow managed to spill coffee down his designer shacket – and had a lady wipe him down to clean up the mess.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
