Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-13 11:00:00
Pep Guardiola has opened up about Manchester City’s private feelings toward the Champions League when he took over as the head coach in 2016. Back then, there were high expectations for Guardiola to lead the club to victory in Europe’s elite competition. However, while the team thrived in domestic competitions, they struggled to make a significant impact in the Champions League.
Despite being considered one of the best teams in the world, Manchester City faced challenges in the competition, including a memorable quarter-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur, where Raheem Sterling’s last-gasp winner was ruled out by VAR. It wasn’t until June 2023, when City finally secured the Champions League title, achieving a historic treble.
As Manchester City gets ready to face Copenhagen in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, Guardiola provided insights into the club’s internal outlook on the competition when he first joined. He described how they initially felt overwhelmed by the challenge but how defeats and setbacks ultimately helped them grow and evolve.
Guardiola emphasized that his team’s recent successes, including two Champions League finals and a semi-final appearance, have created a new awareness and belief within the organization. This shift in perspective has made Manchester City more confident in its ability to compete in the Champions League.
Considering that the club had never won the Champions League before Guardiola’s appointment, it’s understandable that the goal seemed insurmountable at the time. Playing in Europe presents unique challenges, and the fine margins of the tournament can lead to harsh outcomes for teams.
However, City has gained valuable experience from past upsets, unfortunate defeats, and mistakes in the Champions League, which ultimately contributed to their triumph last year. Guardiola’s leadership has instilled a newfound belief within the club, bringing them closer to winning the competition than ever before.
The team’s journey to success in the Champions League underscores the significant impact of Guardiola’s tenure, as he was able to guide Manchester City through previous setbacks and ultimately break the club’s European hoodoo.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
