Having landed a maiden Champions League trophy last season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have been showing signs they can go all the way in Europe’s elite competition again this term.
A side with a wealth of winning experience and individuals playing in great form, other giants in Europe will know they will have to produce something special to stop the Cityzens this term.
City Freed By Last Season’s Success
There was no getting away from the fact that Guardiola was brought to the Etihad Stadium in 2016 to win Europe’s biggest prize. City, who are +163 in the Champions League betting to win the tournament this season, had come close before last season. Reaching the final back in 2021, only to lose to Premier League rivals Chelsea in the showpiece event in Lisbon, some questioned whether City would ever get their hands on the trophy. That was until last season when City finally put all they had learnt from the setbacks and near misses to beat Inter Milan in the final.
Getting that monkey off their back was a big step forward for this team, who look like the shackles have been taken off and they are free to really attack the Champions League this season. Since beating the Nerazzurri in last year’s final, City have gone on to win all of their eight games in the competition this term to reach the quarter-finals. Remarkably in all of those eight outings, Guardiola’s side have scored exactly three goals in each of them. An impressive record from a side that knows what it takes to go all the way in this competition.
Midfield Generals Key To Success
When it comes to the wealth of experience and quality in the midfield, the Cityzens are one of the envies of European football. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Rodri were key in helping City land that elusive first Champions League title and all three will be essential if they are to lift the famous trophy once again.
De Bruyne endured a tough first half of the season out on the sidelines with a hamstring issue that carried over from last term. However, the Belgium international made his comeback in January and felt like a new signing for the club as he hit the ground running on his return.
While De Bruyne was recovering, Silva was one of the senior figures to step up in his absence. The Portuguese playmaker has found the back of the net six times in his first 24 Premier League games and provided four assists in that time. Bagging his first Champions League goal of the season against FC Copenhagen in the last-16 first leg, Silva has also contributed on the European stage this season. Meanwhile, Rodri continues to come up with big moments for his club, having scored the winning goal over Inter in last year’s final. The Spaniard has developed into one of the best players on the planet in his midfield role and he too will have a big part to play.
Of course, there are other giants from across Europe who will be looking to knock City off their perch, but Guardiola’s side will certainly take some stopping to be denied back-to-back European crowns.