EPL
Will Guardiola prove a point in European competition this Season?
Manchester City were unconvincing throughout last season’s Champions League campaign, though, they won the Premier League in a great and awesome manner.
The team were on fire throughout the group stage, scoring goals from every corner to make everyone believed they are Champions League title contenders.
They progressed out of their group with 15 points — five wins and a single defeat — to set up a round of 16 clash with Basel.
Prior to the round 16 encounter, the Etihad outfits continue their great Premier League form as they send message to the Swiss side that they weren’t pushing overs.
After a two-legged affair, Guardiola’s men were 5-2 winners and that was enough to see them qualify to the quarterfinal round of the campaign.
The quarterfinal pairings saw two Premier League clubs face each other as Manchester City were paired against Liverpool.
The encounter ended 5-1 on aggregate in favour of the Reds as Mohamed Salah, Mane, Firmino all found the back of the net.
That was the end of the journey for Guardiola who was so determined to secure a treble in his second season at the sky-blue part of Manchester.
What does Champions League trophy mean to City’s hierarchy
Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini — despite winning Premier League trophy in their respective spells at Etihad — were shown the exit door by the Citizens’ hierarchy due to their inability to deliver a European trophy.
This is to show that the Citizens board members have high regards for the trophy and they can’t afford to lay hold on it as soon as possible.
Hence, the former Barcelona manager must figure out the tactics that will ensure his men find their way through to the Champions League final match at least.
Can he win it this time?
The former Bayern Munich tactician is on the right path to achieving his ultimate goal as he has helped the team qualify through to the next round of the competition.
Though unconvincing, Guardiola has helped his men progressed out of the group stage with a game to spare.
Despite his defeat to Lyon in the first group match, Guardiola was able to find a way to see his team through to the next round as his team beat Shakhtar Donetsk 9-0 on aggregate, followed by a 2-2 draw to Lyon.
As it stands, Manchester City are definitely in the race for the European glory but they must improve in their approach to games if they must beat top clubs as the competition enters tough stages.
