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Billions of dollars have been spent and many tears have been shed on Manchester City’s journey to the pinnacle of European football. Mission accomplished at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympiat Stadium on Saturday as the Abu Dhabi-backed club lifted the Champions League title for the first time and perhaps heralded the start of a new era of dominance in the competition. “It was written in the stars. It’s ours,” said Pep Guardiola after a 1-0 win against Inter Milan, tears flowing again from the manager, his players and a sea of blue-shirted fans.
The feeling on this occasion was pure ecstasy.
The victory, courtesy of a 68th-minute goal from Rodry, marked 15 years since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s city was transformed overnight into one of the world’s richest teams.
CHAMPION OF EUROPE!!! , pic.twitter.com/n8dXDvOZyp– Manchester City (@ManCity) June 10, 2023
It was the final frontier for Pep Guardiola’s side, who also completed a rare treble of trophies this season after winning the Premier League title and the FA Cup. The Champions League has always been a step that seemed out of reach even for a team that spent more than $1.5 billion on the world’s best players and hired perhaps the greatest coach of its generation in Guardiola.
The breaking of that psychological barrier and the spending power to further improve a team that has already proved too good for the rest has the potential to win European club football’s biggest prize on many occasions.
Guardiola joked about being “just 13 Champions League away” from Real Madrid.
The boys in blue will never give up_#man City , #uclfinal pic.twitter.com/OHbbGGaCoM– Manchester City (@ManCity) June 11, 2023
“If you sleep a little, we’ll catch you,” he said. “But I don’t want to disappear after one Champions League, so work hard next season and be there. There are teams that win the Champions League and disappear after a season or two. That’s what you have to avoid.” . Knowing me that’s not going to happen. But at the same time I have to admit, it’s a huge relief for the club, for the institution, for everyone to have this trophy. Because now, finally, they don’t have to ask me Whether we are going to win the Champions League or not.”
The trophy would also strengthen the case for declaring Guardiola the greatest coach of all time as he collected his third Champions League title and 30th major piece of silverware.
It was their second treble of trophies, after emulating that feat with Barcelona in 2009. City became only the second English club after Manchester United in 1999 to complete a sweep of the three major trophies.
“Rodri is on fire!” ,#man City , #uclfinal pic.twitter.com/wtkDnslH2O– Manchester City (@ManCity) June 11, 2023
There were questions about whether Guardiola could ever win the Champions League again without the help of Lionel Messi, the inspiration behind his Barcelona team that went on to become two-time champions of Europe.
Those questions have now been answered, yet despite all talk of City’s superiority, it was won by a fine margin through Rodri’s strike.
Even after that goal, Inter had plenty of chances in extra time.
In the 89th minute, best player Romelu fell to substitute Lukaku but he headed straight at Ederson from about four meters (yards) out.
Federico DiMarco hit the bar from close range almost immediately after Rodri’s goal and then turned the rebound against Lukaku’s legs.
“We didn’t deserve to lose,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. “We played against a top team, but Inter also played a great final.
“Manchester City deserve the Champions League considering what they have done over the years. But tonight it played against a great Inter that edged them out.
, https://t.co/hBevKGIGry– Manchester City (@ManCity) June 11, 2023
City found a way on a night when it was far from its best and showed some examples of flowing play that saw it blow past Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on its way to the final.
City captain Ilkay Gundogan said, “Today we made history.” “We knew everyone was talking about the treble. There was pressure but this team is built to handle pressure in the best possible way.”
Gundogan lifted the trophy as the gold ticker tape exploded and Queen’s “We Are the Champions” echoed around the stadium.
Sheikh Mansour was in attendance to witness the crowning moment, watching his team in person for only the second time since purchasing the club in 2008.
Guardiola said, “One of the main reasons this club came to be is that the people of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour, take care of the club.” “Without him we would not be here. They are the most important people. … They support me unconditionally even in defeat in this competition. At many clubs when this happens you are sacked.”
The win ended Guardiola’s wait to lift the trophy for the first time since 2011 and inspired midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to miss out despite a first-half injury.
The club’s fans feared the worst when he went down in the first half holding his right leg. It was as if history was repeating itself after injury also forced the Belgian international out of action when City lost to Chelsea in their only Champions League final in 2021.
But the decisive moment came when Rodri collected Bernardo Silva’s cutback and fired through a crowded penalty box.
The relief was unmistakable as he ran towards the City fans and slumped to his knees in celebration.
Inter almost leveled the score within minutes of that goal when DiMarco hit the bar from close range.
He then looked to turn in the rebound, only to see his header come back from teammate Lukaku.
Lukuku was then guilty of missing himself as the Italians forced City to make a last-minute comeback.
The city was organized. Europe was conquered. The mission started 15 years back is complete.
