It’s been 11 years since Pep Guardiola last won the Champions League. A manager for 10 of the following seasons, last year’s loss to Chelsea is his only final appearance over the past decade.
Yet after losing to Thomas Tuchel’s side, Man City were determined that this year would finally be their year in Europe. That, having lost last season, they could follow in Liverpool ’s footsteps by turning such a low into European Cup glory 12 months later.
Beating Real Madrid 4-3 at the Etihad in the semi-final first leg, City had one foot in the final on May 28. When Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring at the Bernabeu in the second leg with little more than 15 minutes remaining, supporters would have had one eye on flights and hotels for Paris.
