Sergio Aguero Says Bad Luck Has Hurt Manchester City
Bad luck has contributed to Manchester City's failure to win a trophy in Pep Guardiola's first year in charge, believes Sergio Aguero.
Sergio Aguero says bad luck has been a major factor in Manchester City's struggles during Pep Guardiola's first season in charge.
City were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final to end their last realistic chance of silverware under Guardiola this term, having exited the Champions League to Monaco in the last-16 stage and bowing out of the EFL Cup to rivals Manchester United.
The Citizens face United in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday in a match of huge importance in the race to finish in the Premier League's top four.
Argentina striker Aguero conceded it has been a tough season and says City have been punished for their mistakes.
"It has been quite a tough year," Aguero told Sky Sports. "We made a very good start. Our form then dipped, but we managed to recover and had a few good performances followed by a few that weren't quite as good. I don't know if it's been bad.
"We've always played the same way. I think what we've been missing this year is a bit more luck. There have been games that we were winning comfortably and a mistake or lack of concentration cost us a goal.
"In the Champions League, we knew that Monaco would be tough opponents. We produced a good performance at home, but in the away leg I think we gave them the first half.
"You pay dearly in the Champions League if you do that. We reacted in the second half, but it was too late. It's called the Champions League because you're up against the best teams that can make it hard for you.
"We came close in the FA Cup which I think is another example of a game where luck wasn't on our side. In the second half I think both Yaya [Toure] and Fernandinho hit the woodwork.
"If one of them had gone in, it would have been game over. Then we had a goal disallowed when the ball seemingly didn't go out. It's been a tough year, as is always the case in England.
"I don't think luck has been on our side in many games."