History waiting to be written
Big European games such as tonight's Champions League semi-final don't just take place on one night. The build up lasts for days with memories of legendary victories, painful defeats and key moments that could have determined the outcome of the result or the passage to a final that weren't to be. These all count, a game that is played on hundred occasions will have one hundred different versions as the ghosts of the past combine to condition the games of the future.
Atlético 'traveled to Brussels' many times before playing last night at the Allianz. Bayern Munich have a rich tapestry of historical moments to choose from that can be resumed in falling, dust yourself down and eventually end triumphantly. The Di Stéfano Real Madrid side alone had their own narrative ahead of big European nights.
Manchester City have their own unique history which involves their own particular method of suffering and indeed last minute goals have, in the past avoided them from avoiding the drop. Their recent domestic history revolves around a title winning memorable last minute winner on the last day of the season. For the likes of Hart, Sterling, el Kun or Navas today will be an unforgettable day and a short-cut to glory as they forget about previous famous European nights. There is a catch with this article. City have had great European nights, back in 1971 they reached the quarter final of the Cup Winners Cup in Denmark, they played Hamburg in a UEFA Cup quarter final, Milan again in the 1979 UEFA Cup and of course the 1970 European Cup Winners Cup win in Vienna. Tonight is another chance for City to make history and tonight's win or loss will help the club to forge new future successes.
