Beating Utd in FA Cup put City in mood for Treble
CITY were able to head off for the Champions League final in a ‘different mood’ after dispatching rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to win their third successive Premier League title with a few weeks to spare, then had to reset for their two finals.
They made history by winning the European Cup for the first time as a club with a 1-0 win over Inter in Istanbul, and that proved to be the final leg of the Treble after their victory over United the previous Saturday.
Two goals from Ilkay Gundogan, either side of a controversial penalty for United scored by Bruno Fernandes, were enough to give City a 2-1 win and give them the chance to achieve what only United have managed in English football by winning the three biggest trophies on offer in a single year.
City fans rejoiced in powering past their biggest rivals on their way to the Treble, and on top of making their achievement even more special Guardiola felt like their performance against United helped them in Istanbul a week later.
“We know how tough it would be,” he said. “We were lucky to start with the [Ilkay] Gundogan goal after they equalised.
“In the second half we took a step forward and were brilliant.
“The second half in the final was really good. That helped us to arrive in a different mood for the final in Istanbul.
“Against United, it was a little bit more special, we have to admit. For our fans maybe, more special. I tried to be focused on what to do to beat them, focus on what we have to do. Put the emotions aside.”