Champions League the Final Piece of the Puzzle for Guardiola
A dominant force in the Premier League, Manchester City have the chance to complete a remarkable season as they go in search of the Champions League title. Inspirational manager Pep Guardiola has guided the Cityzens to the final once again and victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul would see the Spanish tactician complete the mission he was brought to Manchester to achieve.
History In Their Reach
Manchester City have been the “nearly men” of the Champions League in recent years but will be hoping to overcome the final hurdle this time around. The 2022/23 Premier League title winners are the 2/9 favourites in the Champions League odds winner market to overcome the Nerazzurri. The Italian giants find themselves as the underdogs in the Man City v Inter betting, with the Serie A outfit at 6/1 to win in the 90 minutes. It’s understandable why City have many expecting they can go all the way this year after their impressive showing in the semi-finals.
Reigning champions Real Madrid were expected to give the Cityzens a run for their money, especially after beating Guardiola’s side in the semi-finals last season. After a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were hoping to spoil the party for the second meeting at the Etihad Stadium. However, it was a night that will live long in the memories of City supporters, as their team ran out 4-0 winners against Los Blancos. It was sweet revenge for former Barcelona boss Guardiola and his players, who just have Inter between themselves and European glory.
Guardiola Takes City To New Level
After the drama of beating Liverpool to the Premier League title on the final day last season, City managed to finish top of the pile with games to spare this term. Arsenal, with Guardiola’s former assistant coach Mikel Arteta at the helm, put up a fight but fell away when the pressure was on at the business end of the season. City found their form when it counted and ended up winning the title by five points. Considering their dominance on the way to claiming the Premier League crown, it will take something special from a rival side to stop them from retaining the English crown.
The only thing that has been missing from Guardiola’s time at the Etihad Stadium is a European title, but City now have the Champions League trophy well within touching distance. City certainly won’t be taking Inter for granted as they know all too well the heartbreak of losing a Champions League final after defeat to Chelsea in 2021. Guardiola and the players who featured in that final against the Blues will have learned from that disappointment and appear to be in a much better place this season.
It has been an impressive campaign from Guardiola’s City and now the club are just 90 minutes from really announcing themselves on the European stage as arguably the team in the continent.