Liam Manning has revealed that in the buildup to their crucial second-leg play-off semi-final against Sheffield United, he, his coaching staff, and the Bristol City squad have drawn inspiration from some of football’s most iconic comebacks. Among the examples discussed were Liverpool’s legendary 2005 Champions League final turnaround against AC Milan and Sheffield Wednesday’s dramatic League One play-off victory over Peterborough. These historic moments have been referenced as motivation as the Robins prepare to face a daunting challenge at Bramall Lane, following a heavy 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Ashton Gate.
Thursday’s match saw City reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Rob Dickie received a straight red card under controversial circumstances. Sheffield United capitalised on the advantage, with Harrison Burrows, Andre Brooks, and Callum O’Hare all finding the net. The scoreline suggests the Blades already have one foot in the Wembley final. However, prior to the dismissal, City had been competitive, with Joe Williams striking the crossbar and forwards like Nahki Wells and Yu Hirakawa combining well to test the opposition defence.
Despite the uphill battle that lies ahead, Manning remains resolute. He acknowledged the magnitude of the task but stressed that history proves no deficit is insurmountable. Speaking at the club’s High Performance Centre, he emphasized the importance of belief and resilience, recalling how several players weren’t even born when the Milan-Liverpool final took place—a humorous reminder of how youthful the squad is, yet how much potential they hold. For Manning, giving up is not an option; he sees the second leg as a test of character and professionalism, urging his players to fight until the very end.
Manning also pointed to Bristol City’s resilience throughout the season. One of the defining traits of his side has been their ability to respond to setbacks. The Robins never lost more than two consecutive games during the regular Championship campaign and often bounced back strongly from poor performances, such as defeats against Portsmouth and West Brom. However, to progress past Sheffield United, they will need to do something unprecedented this season—score at least three goals in a single away match.
Still, Manning remains optimistic, insisting that the pressure is off his team. With few expecting them to mount a comeback, he believes the players can channel that freedom into a fearless performance. Recalling their comeback draw against Preston from two goals down, Manning challenged his team to tap into that spirit once more. “It’s only half-time,” he said, “they scored three in one leg—why can’t we?”
Leave a Reply