Have Manchester City won the Champions League?

When Pep Guardiola was employed by Manchester Metropolis in 2016, many anticipated the two-time Champions League successful supervisor to information the Residents to the promised land.

Home supremacy has ensued below Guardiola’s watch, and whereas Metropolis have lengthy been considered the very best group in Europe, glory on the continental stage has continued to elude them.

Guardiola’s stint, as majestic as it has been, won’t be full till he guides Metropolis to the Champions League crown.

The membership’s historical past with Europe’s premier membership competitors is not significantly in depth, nevertheless it’s a painful one nonetheless.

Opposite to in style perception, Man Metropolis’s first look in Europe’s premier membership competitors did not arrive of their maiden Premier League title-winning season of 2011/12 below Roberto Mancini.

Their first look got here method again when through the 1968/69 season when solely the winners of Europe’s main leagues certified for the European Cup. Metropolis got here out of nowhere to win Division 1 in 1967/68 below Joe Mercer, however they have been eradicated within the first spherical of the European Cup a season later by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Man Metropolis have lengthy suffered within the Champions League, and no defeat has hit deeper than the 2021 closing in Porto. Guardiola’s facet overcame Borussia Dortmund and a superstar-laden PSG facet to advance into the membership’s second-ever European closing the place they confronted home rivals Chelsea.

Many anticipated this to be Metropolis’s crowning glory below Guardiola, however they have been fully thwarted by Thomas Tuchel’s Blues. Guardiola’s determination to not begin a recognised holding midfielder was unusual and it proved pricey as Chelsea scythed by way of Metropolis to attain the sport’s solely aim simply earlier than half-time.

Metropolis adopted up their defeat in Porto by reaching the semi-finals final season, however they succumbed to Actual Madrid’s miraculous aura within the closing levels of the second leg after main the tie for thus lengthy.

That was the second time the Residents have reached the final 4 earlier than being overwhelmed by Los Blancos. Manuel Pellegrini took the Sky Blues to the semis in 2015/16 earlier than they have been edged out over two legs by the eventual champions.

Pffft. How do you reply this query? Nicely, let’s attempt to break it down. Earlier than Guardiola arrived, Metropolis have been by no means considered a favorite to go all the best way within the Champions League.

They suffered back-to-back group stage exits below Roberto Mancini earlier than they have been twice swatted apart by a far superior Barcelona within the spherical of 16. Their maiden semi-final berth arrived in 2015/16 however a Fernando personal aim was sufficient for Actual Madrid to advance into the ultimate.

Guardiola’s reign started in 2016/17 as Metropolis endured a yr of transition. Thus, they have been eradicated by an thrilling younger Monaco facet within the spherical of 16 after collapsing within the away second leg.

From 2017/18 onwards, a myriad of things have been at play throughout Metropolis’s European exits. They succumbed to the Anfield environment in 17/18, VAR stymied them a season later in opposition to Tottenham earlier than they inexplicably misplaced to Lyon within the quarters through the Covid-hit 2019/20 season.

Guardiola opted to alter tack for the one-legged affair, maybe pondering an excessive amount of in regards to the distinctly inferior opposition, and Metropolis’s fluidity in possession suffered because of this. An error-laden efficiency resulted in a 3-1 defeat. The Metropolis boss’ method then wasn’t optimum within the 2021 closing earlier than Actual shocked the Residents in final season’s semi-final.

There isn’t any single motive why Metropolis are but to win the Champions League, however a mix. Imposing away atmospheres, Guardiola’s knack for complicating issues, and an amazing quantity of misfortune have every performed a job.

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