Manchester City: Can They Finally Conquer Europe?

When Manchester United won the treble in 1999, Manchester City were in a different world despite the two teams being in the same city. At the time, they were competing in the third tier of English football, gaining promotion to the second tier after beating Gillingham in the play-off final via a penalty shootout. Now, they are the top dog of English football. Winning the Premier League for the third successive season, and could wrap up their season by winning the biggest of them all, the Champions League trophy.

Manchester City's reputation is one of appreciation, concern and fear. Appreciation for their attacking football, which has gained them, numerous admirers. Thanks to manager Pep Guardiola. Concern for what they represent in the modern game. Bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, Manchester City, in the eyes of many, represents the concerning nature of countries getting involved with financial resources that are close to bottomless and increasing the ever-growing gap between the haves and have not. Also, they have been accused of financial breaches by the Premier League, which they have denied.

Fear, particularly from the traditional clubs (Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona) of being usurped by Manchester City, on and off the field, as their reputation increases. Regardless, Manchester City has become dominant domestically. Since 2010, Manchester City have won seven Premier League titles, six League Cups and three FA Cups. Only Chelsea and Manchester United have won the Premier League more than once in that same period. 

Their dominance is also reflected by the records they have broken. The joint-most consecutive wins in the Premier League (18), joint-most wins in a Premier League season (32), most points in a Premier League season (100), most goals in a Premier League season (106), and most away wins in a Premier League season (16). Their dominance has pushed their rivals to be near perfect to even challenge them for the league. In the 2018/19 season, Liverpool failed to win the title despite amassing 97 points. Which could have won them the title in almost every season except two, the 2017/18 and the 2018/19 seasons.

Playing regularly in the Champions League since 2011, Manchester City have been unable to take their domestic dominance to Europe. Only making the semifinals once between 2012 to 2019. Under Guardiola, City has suffered heavy and shock defeats to Monaco, Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon, suggesting a mental block when playing in Europe. They eventually made the final for the first time in 2021 but lost the Final to Chelsea. 

This season in Europe, City made it to the knockout stages top of their group before smashing RB Leipzig 8-1 on aggregate in the last 16. They faced German giants Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals and won comfortably 4-1 on aggregate. They encountered Real Madrid, the defending champions, in the semifinals. After a 1-1 draw in Madrid, City had their most significant result in Europe, beating Real Madrid 4-0 to advance to the final. 

City has scored 150 goals in all competitions this season. Thirty-one in the Champions League. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has been a wrecking ball in their attack, scoring twelve in the Champions League for City plus 52 goals in all competitions. Plus, winning the Golden Boot in the Premier League with 36 goals, the most in a Premier League season ever. John Stones has been a revelation this season, being utilised as an inverted defender that tucked into midfield to give them a man advantage in midfield and more solidity. Kevin De Bruyne remains their creative threat with 28 assists in all competitions, while Ilkay Gundogan has provided goals from midfield with 11 goals.

Since his appointment in 2016, Pep Guardiola has built his team in his image, which has taken years to complete. They have already captured the league title and the FA Cup, as they are on the cusp of a treble. A squad that has reached its apex, Guardiola has created a team that is one of the best teams of this century. Winning the Champions League on Saturday will be his crowning achievement at Manchester City, defining an era. Inter Milan stands in their way when they battle in Istanbul. Winning the final will not only win them the trophy but finally conquer Europe.