It’s fair to assume that Pep Guardiola doesn’t take his word for it. The Manchester City manager was absolutely correct when he said on the eve of another meeting with Real Madrid that the result would not affect his own legacy. It was “flawless,” he said.
His claim would be that he is on the verge of a fifth Premier League title in six years. He has won countless domestic cup competitions and set a wealth of records across a wide variety of fields. Not only did he transform City into a sophisticated, cutting-edge team, he also changed many of the rules of English football. There was an undeniable and perhaps measurable Guardiola effect.
However, being impressive is not the same as being perfect. Guardiola was appointed with expectations of success in the Champions League. More importantly, he would have arrived with a personal ambition to do so. He hasn’t won the biggest trophy in club football for over ten years. By his own standards, it’s too long.
This season presents great opportunities. City need only win at home, unbeaten in the Champions League since 2018, to reach the final for the second time in three years. If they get there, they’ll be the clear favorites against Inter Milan, a surprise qualifier from the other side of the draw. So close that Guardiola could taste it.
The only slight problem, a minor inconvenience, really, is that City realized the road was blocked by Real Madrid. Real Madrid are a club that sees this tournament as their property, a team that has proven its ability to find a way. To succeed, no matter how difficult the odds or the odds.Stan
