Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League
Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City side to cement their greatness by winning the Champions League after recent FA Cup success.
City completed their second domestic double under Guardiola when they defeated rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday.
Ilkay Gündogan struck both goals, including a stunning volley after just 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – and City proved far too strong for their neighbours.
However, despite all their achievements in recent years, which have included five Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups, Champions League glory has eluded them.
They will have a chance to make amends and secure that glorious treble when they take on Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul next week.
City manager Guardiola said: “Everyone knows it. We’ve played incredible seasons – five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, Carabao Cups, but we need to win the Champions League to be recognized the way the team deserves to be recognised.
“We have to admit it was great without the Champions League, it was fun – but we’re missing (something). We have to do it.
“We’re just one game away. I would say it’s incredible and remarkable that in three years we’ve had two finals and one semi-final in the Champions League.
“But in the end we have to win it. i know how it works I said to the players: “You have to put yourself under pressure.” “To be recognized as a good thing, you have to win in Europe.”
Before they fully focus on Inter, City can reflect on another great trophy-winning performance.
We have to admit, it was great without the Champions League, it was fun – but we’re missing (something). We have to do it
pep Guardiola
Things didn’t go according to plan. United brought them back from Gundogan’s quick opener with a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Jack Grealish was controversially ruled for the error following a VAR review.
But they reacted early in the second half when Kevin De Bruyne eliminated Gündogan from a free kick on the edge of the area and the German volleyed his second.
From then on, Guardiola’s side kept the game firmly under control, ending the club’s seventh FA Cup triumph in style.
Guardiola said: “It was the best start to a final. There was still more than 90 minutes left, but it was important.
“Overall we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk because the threat they have up front is so big, especially with (Marcus) Rashford, but we controlled it really well.
“A final against United is always difficult for many reasons, but the better team won. We’re humble enough to accept how good they are, and we did. We are really satisfied.
“Winning the FA Cup is very special and it’s really great to celebrate with our people.”
Gundogan has ended the season well and can now add a double win in the FA Cup final to the two goals he scored in the last game of last season to secure the Premier League title.
The midfielder’s contract expires in the summer and his recent superb performance will increase the club’s desire to tie him to new terms.
Guardiola said: “He knows what I’m thinking. He’s a neighbor of mine. We have lived on the same floor for many years and he is a close friend of mine.
“He is an exceptional player and we hope that we can conclude the contract negotiations well. The season he has played is extraordinary. It is very important for many reasons.”
