Pep Guardiola has joked that the reason he's the king of Europe once again is because of Romelu Lukaku's remarkable miss in the Champions League final.
Lukaku, who spent last season on loan at Italian giants Inter Milan from Chelsea, squandered a golden opportunity to equalise against Guardiola's Manchester City in the dying embers of their cagey final clash earlier this month. In the 88th minute, with City leading 1-0 thanks to a thunderbolt from Rodri, the ball kindly fell to Lukaku inside the six-yard box.
The former Manchester United striker looked certain to score and draw Inter level, yet he headed the ball straight at the foot of grateful City goalkeeper Ederson before it bounced out for a corner. It was ultimately Lukaku and his team-mates' best chance of the game, leaving Guardiola hugely relieved on the touchline.
