All or Nothing: Manchester City

The main shortcoming of this documentary series is that it doesn't deal with controversial topics related to Citizens at all. It's as iif the deal was clear. Yes, we will let the crew go where no one has ever had access, but in exchange for that, they will not ask questions or touch on sensitive topics. In other words, a solution to financial fair play, a behind-the-scenes look into traditional club that is artificially supported by petrodollars, which did not bear the desired results (at the time of of the series' making, two titles, one FA Cup and several second-tier trophies per decade, which doesn't correspond to the team's quality and the money invested in it). The aspects involving how the team has changed in the eyes of other clubs are not addressed at all, nor is the issue of what it's like to play for a team composed of overpriced players who are past their prime rather than the concept of what it's like to play under Guardiola, whose bet on the beautiful game is bearing fruit in over the longstanding rivalries, but not in elimination matches, where it is sometimes necessary to just “keep kicking the ball", or what it's like to motivate a team of superstars go switch almost overnight from matches in the Champions League to a match with a third-division team, or how to manage a team of such personalities, where everyone wants to be in the spotlight, etc. There is no such thing. The overall picture looks “distorted", obsequious to the City and unconvincing at the end of the day. There is a complete lack of overlapping reach as was found in the similarly conceived series about Sunderland and Dortmund. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that purely as a “non-conflicting record of a successful season" and a glimpse behind the scenes of a major club, it is captivating and fantastically presented. It has many strong moments, and at the worst, Pep's passionate holler outshines even the weaker moments. So, if you have a weakness for Manchester City (or you are mischievously enjoying the current downfall of United), Pep, De Bruyne, Company or the Premier League, then there is no reason not to watch it. If you have ambitions to learn something other than the “Man City" product brochure, you will be disappointed. PS: Written from the point of view of a Spurs (and Burnley) fan who is watching Amazon´s new series All or Nothing in the current 2019/2020 “coronavirus" season. And there is probably no chance to expect a PR brochure. The ruined season, the arrival of José, all forwards injured, the even more significant falling-out between fans and the already hated Levy, the effects of the new stadium on transfers... If they can also make some PR agitprop out of that, then I take my hat off to the producers. (27.04.2020)