On May 17, 2023, Manchester City secured a crushing 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League semi-finals. This was Manchester City’s best performance under Guardiola, as confirmed by ESPN FC staff. The team proved themselves to be the new kings of Europe after beating Real in a show of dominance and ruthless efficiency. No team can live with City at the moment, having won 19 of their last 23 games and never lost.
Manchester City are on a fast track to immortalizing the sport. They are the best team in Europe, and thus, the best team in the world. Even reigning European champions Real Madrid suffered a defeat at their hands. However, City still need to win the Champions League final against Inter Milan on June 10 to cement their status as the greatest team of all time. While Inter may create one of the biggest upsets of all time by beating Man City at Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium, no one would dispute them as the better team if they emerge victorious and hail them as deserving winners of the giant silver trophy.
Guardiola’s mission, since he took over as director for Manchester City in 2016, has been to make City the best team in Europe and the world, a mission he accomplished with pride. However, nobody at the Etihad will feel it until the European Cup is in the club’s trophy cabinet. It was devastating for City to lose to Chelsea in Porto’s only Champions League final in 2021, but it looks like Guardiola’s side may be on the road to redemption.
Guardiola’s players needed only three points from three games to win the league for the third season in a row. Manchester City stands to become the only English club to win the treble in a year by beating Manchester United for the Premier League title, followed by Inter Milan for the Champions League title. With Guardiola’s squad arriving in Istanbul a week later, their success will be inevitable.
In the meantime, Guardiola’s team needs to mentally prepare for the upcoming final against Inter Milan. While they celebrate their victory against Real Madrid, they do not have much time to rest since they won the Premier League on Sunday. Manchester City is undeniably a strong team, clinching their fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
Guardiola’s team dominated Real Madrid in a magnificent display. They controlled the ball, with 60 percent of the possession, turning back the attacking waves and endless possessions of Real. Despite Real playing better opponents, City still overwhelmed them quite a bit, with only former Chelsea number one making a string of important saves, especially against Erling Haaland, trying to weather the storm.
It is simply a matter of how many trophies they win now as their season reaches its conclusion. Manchester City will play the Italian Inter Milan in the final, and Coach Guardiola knows the competition will be fierce.
“It’s not the best gift,” he said. “They [Inter] are competitive. This victory will receive a lot of accolades, but we have time to mentally prepare. Once we reach the final of the Champions League, we have to celebrate. Unfortunately, we won the Premier League on Sunday, so we don’t have much time.”
City’s mission to become the best team in Europe, which they accomplished with pride, has placed a barometer on how they can be measured. They have made their claim to this title as the new kings of Europe, but all eyes are on their path to immortality as they head to the Champions League final.