Pep’s City in first European final
MANCHESTER: Manchester City finally cracked the Champions League code with an impressive 2-0 win over Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday, the 4-1 aggregate triumph earning them a first ever spot in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.
After stumbling in the latter stages of the Champions League in his four previous campaigns with the club, Guardiola dropped his usual focus on the tasks ahead to reflect on banishing the one major question mark over his stewardship of the club.
“To reach final is so difficult,” he told reporters. “It is the toughest one...the composure you have to have to suffer toughest moments.”
Many had wondered whether the Spaniard’s obsession with the competition had led him to overthink games or transmitted nerves to his players, but this season was different. City have not sneaked into the final, they have marched to Istanbul by winning every knockout game.
This year, though, they have combined the flair in the final third with a rock solid defence that has conceded just four goals in the Champions League so far.
The addition of Ruben Dias, the Portugal central defender signed from Benfica, has proven to be a masterstroke.
Teenager Phil Foden, cautiously introduced into the side by Guardiola, has come of age during this campaign, effectively replacing Raheem Sterling in the attack.
Riyad Mahrez, who scored both goals on Tuesday, has flourished while Ilkay Gundogan has come out of his shell to become an all-round midfielder.
City’s exits in Europe have all featured moments when they have let the game get away. But this season there has been a maturity that is so vital.
TV timings: Europa semis: Roma vs Man United, live on Sony Ten 2 & Ten 3, 12.30am (Thu); Arsenal vs Villarreal, live on Sony Ten 1, 12:30am (Thu)