Pep Guardiola claims that his “exceptional” Manchester City team has already made the rest of the world pay notice. With the FA Cup and Champions League finals yet to come, City is on the verge of completing a trifecta.
Guardiola, on the other hand, believed that his team was already a world beater in his eyes and the eyes of the football world.
“We had the feeling that we had done something exceptional. Of course, to win in the Champions League, we have to win in Europe, otherwise people will say our time here was not complete,” he said.
“But at the same time, just in case we are not able to do it against Inter or next year, it is unfair to say that what we have already done with five Premier League titles in six years is not extraordinary.
“Everybody in the world football – players, managers, sporting directors – knows how exceptional it is. We won a lot but can’t deny that it can be unfair to have to win the Champions League to give value to what you’ve done.”
City are two games away from completing the triple, with Manchester United and Inter Milan standing in their way, and Guardiola has urged his team to seize their opportunity.
And captain Ilkay Gundogan underlined that the team has the focus, intensity, and unity to go down in history.
“Even though we all compete with each other, it feels like, when it comes to the crucial times, we are there for each other and we fight together.
“There are two more finals to go and my arms are ready to lift two more titles.”
On Saturday, City were crowned champions after Arsenal were defeated 1-0 at Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola’s team still has two Premier League games to play as they prepare to go to Brighton and Brentford.
Guardiola, though, will be unable to ignore the fact that City’s season will be defined by their performances in the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
There were also hints that there might be some changes at City this summer as Aymeric Laporte sobbed on the field following the celebrations.
After five and a half years at City, the Spaniard is expected to seek a new challenge this summer.
The Premier League champions are still hoping to persuade Gundogan to sign a new contract.
City is thought to have offered him only a one-year extension, whilst Barcelona is offering him a long-term contract.
However, following Gundogan’s exploits in recent weeks, it appears City are willing to offer him more than a one-year contract after changing their negotiating stance.
