Manchester City dynasty not ‘complete’ without Champions League – Guardiola

 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reckons the club’s dynasty is incomplete without the UEFA Champions League crown, which is the only missing silverware in their glittering cabinet. After Arsenal suffered a 1-0 loss against Nottm Forest on Saturday, City were crowned as Premier League champions and this was their third consecutive title on the trot.

Furthermore, the Cityzens have won five out of the last six Premier Leagues, which is a huge achievement. However, they are yet to go all the way in Europe’s best club football competition, the Champions League.

The Spaniard feels in order to be considered one of the best teams, they will have to lift the Champions League trophy.

“I could not imagine winning five in six years,” Guardiola told a news conference after lifting the trophy. “I have the feeling we’ve done something exceptional, but to be considered one of the greatest [teams] we have to win the Champions League, otherwise it’s not complete.”

City will have a chance to win their maiden Champions League title as they will take on Inter Milan in the summit clash on June 10. Furthermore, they have a chance to win the treble as they will take on Manchester United on 3rd June in the FA Cup final.

“The players have to celebrate, but it’s time to rest mentally for the finals, and we have to play two more games [in the Premier League] and try to be ready,” Guardiola added. “Now I have the feeling we are a little tired and it’s been a long road. There’s a tendency to think it’s done, but hopefully it can pass quickly.”

Guardiola also congratulated Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (his former assistant coach at City) for having a good season with the Gunners. Arsenal was leading the Sky Blues by eight points in mid-April but the latter was able to bounce back as the former could not sustain their lead.

“With the relationship, I have with Mikel, congratulations for what they’ve done,” Guardiola said. “He’s brought them back to what Arsenal was in the past. It’s a similar battle to Liverpool in previous seasons; they took us to our limits.”

Manchester City next play Brighton on Wednesday night at the Falmer Stadium.