I’m writing this column before Wednesday Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad. 

I was over in Spain for the first leg, last week, and now that the emotion of the day is over I’d have to conclude that a draw was probably the right result.

City were the better team in the first half but Real were probably on top for much of the second period. Printing deadlines mean that by the time you are reading this the tie will have been decided.

As I sit here, right now, I see Pep Guardiola’s team as favourites, but there’s bound to be drama as the second leg unfolds so I certainly wouldn’t want to bet my house on the outcome.

In the race for the Premier League title the competition appears to be over. City’s 3-0 win at Everton took them another huge step towards retaining the trophy for the third year in a row, but when I arrived back from Goodison Park to see Brighton leading by the same scoreline at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, it was as clear as the nose on my face, that City had become Champions elect.

I take my hat off to Mikel Arteta’s team, which has been a joy to watch this season. No-one would have predicted they’d right at the top of the table throughout the campaign.

The summer signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleks Zinchenko, from City, have been highly influential in their resurgence under Pep’s former coach Arteta. The apprentice has certainly shown his credentials as a top class manager in his own right, but the master has still come out on top.

The games between City and Arsenal, which have both been in the post World Cup period have made a huge difference. City’s 3-1 win in London on 15 February felt significant and the game between the pair at the Etihad Stadium on 26 April, when the Blues overwhelmed the Gunners in a 4-1 win, winded the challengers, but I’m sure they’ll be back next season.

For now though, it’s Manchester City and their fans who can start preparing for their coronation. It’s likely that Sunday will be the day that Guardiola’s team will be crowned again and I’m delighted that the supporters will be able to enjoy the celebrations at home.

After that City had two tough trips to Brighton and Brentford to end their Premier League campaign. Unless they slip up against out-of-form Chelsea on Sunday, those games won’t matter too much and instead will give the manager an opportunity to rest his key players and give a little more game time to the next generation of emerging talent.

Players like Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer will have the chance to stake a claim to be more regular players in Pep’s team next season and Kalvin Phillips, a £42 million signing from Leeds last summer, will have a chance to show that he’ll be ready for more game time during the next campaign.

If you’ve ever watched the Forever Blue match day vlogs I do on Youtube you’ll have heard me explain that City told me the Premier League have insisted I do no filming within stadiums at Premier League fixtures.

That includes on concourses, in lounges or wherever I bump into anyone interesting and of course means I can’t video the lifting of the trophy, if that happens on Sunday. It seems petty. Many people have reached out to me with words of support, which is very touching. If you’re one of those people, thank you.

I’ll be at the Etihad on Wednesday to see if City beat Real to reach their second Champions League Final and I’ll be there on Sunday to (hopefully) see City life the Premier League trophy again.

It’s great to be a Blue!  

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