Manchester City enters the Champions League Quarter-Finals after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach on March 16 in Budapest, despite manager Pep Guardiola’s desire to tread cautiously.
The game on March 16th shifted Man City’s trajectory in the Champions League title race.
They are in the quarter-finals and will face Borussia Dortmund.
Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan scored the game-winning goals against Gladbach last Tuesday, securing the Citizen’s position.
Man City teammates congratulate Ilkay Gundogan, center, on his goal
They were defeated by Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the 2015-2016 season. At the time, their manager was Manuel Pellegrini.
The games will be governed and directed by Pep Guardiola’s coaching and managerial expertise.
Guardiola, on the other hand, is cautious and believes that with such elite teams as contenders, one cannot be too arrogant.
He was interviewed by BBC Sport. “I was told the first year I arrived here that we had to win the Champions League.”
“I’m not considering the semi-finals.” I’m thinking about the first and second good games [in the quarter-finals]. This is all that concerns me.”
Is Manchester City Up to the Task?
Man City appears to be in for a massive season.
They are Champions League quarter-finalists, are 14 points away from being Premier League champions in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and have a match against Tottenham in April for the 2021 EFL Cup Final.
Tomorrow, Premier League matches will be played, and City is determined to earn points.
In addition, Manchester United has a say in how Premier League winners are announced.
If United drops points, the Premier League title will be awarded to Man City in April, with semi-finals for the Champions League scheduled for the end of April and the middle of May.
A reprieve for the Citizens as well: they can skip the three May games and still win the Premier League title.
Even if United does not drop points, Man City can be crowned sooner if they continue to perform well and win their remaining games in the coming weeks. The deadline is May 8th.
This will also make it easier for Guardiola to rotate his squad.
“It shows you’re the most consistent team throughout, in the toughest league in the world,” he told BBC Sport.
It used to be the top two in the Premier League fighting over the last five, six, and seven years; now it’s the top six with a lot of quality. The goal was to win the Premier League in a single season.”
Another Feather in the Cap for the Champions League?
This season, City has kept 26 clean sheets across all competitions. Guardiola has effectively managed his team. He has rotated his players and given key players rest in between.
Only one goal has been conceded in the eight Champions League games.
Former City midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes that City’s defense is crucial. “The defense was not as strong as the attack; now the defense is almost as strong.” They keep clean sheets and always get one or two points. “This feels like their best chance,” he told BT Sport.
“Keeping a healthy squad will be important,” ex-City striker Paul Dickov added. They have a great chance if they keep that squad fresh as the tournament progresses.
“Going into the quarter-finals against clubs that have the history and know how to win it could make it difficult for them, but if City keeps going the way they are, there’s no reason why they can’t win it.”
“The Champions League is the big one,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. The owners have made no secret of their desire for the Champions League since their arrival 10-11 years ago.”
“I honestly believe Pep Guardiola knows Manchester City has every chance of winning the three domestic trophies – it’s the Champions League that’s the big one,” Pat Nevin said on 5 live.
Guardiola considers it unfinished business. He had two chances to win the Champions League with Barcelona, but he lost to Bayern Munich, and he believes that City will be judged by their titles.
“Everyone is in good shape, but anything can change in a single day.” “If we deserve it, we will go through; if not, we will be kicked out,” is his philosophy.
Is it possible to quadruple?
Guardiola may appear skeptical of talk of a quadruple this season, but he has the credentials to back it up.
The 50-year-old Spaniard built Bayern Munich into a dominant force in his homeland. He transformed Barcelona into a world-class football team that opponents feared.
He rose to prominence as someone who altered the way football was played in Europe. And his time in Barcelona is unforgettable.
Nonetheless, he understands that wins and losses are two sides of the same coin.
The FA Cup quarter-final match against Everton tomorrow will provide an indication.
“We are close, but we still have games to play,” he told BBC Sport. When you win earlier, it can be detrimental to future competitions.”
“If you have to fight for one title, you have to fight for the others.” It’s critical not to think too far ahead and to concentrate on the next one.”
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