Pep Guardiola believes winning the Champions League to seal the Treble is the only way his Manchester City side will get the recognition they deserve.
It is two trophies down, one to go for the newly-crowned Premier League champions, after they defeated arch-rivals Manchester United 2-1 in a tense FA Cup final at Wembley. Next Saturday’s Champions League showpiece against Inter Milan in Istanbul is now all that stands between Guardiola’s side and only the second-ever Treble achieved by an English club, after United famously first achieved the feat back in 1999.
Ilkay Gundogan scored a brace in the final — including the opener after just 13 seconds, the fastest-ever FA Cup final goal — either side of a contentious Bruno Fernandes penalty, meaning City lifted their 11th major piece of silverware since Guardiola took over as manager in 2016.
After winning at Wembley again, the City boss said: “Two days off now. We feel that we are in a position that probably we will never be in again. We go there [to Istanbul] to try. Everybody knows it: we have done a fantastic season. But we have to win the Champions League to be recognised like the team deserves to be recognised.
“We are one game away, more than to win the Treble, to win the Champions League. Two finals and one semi-final of the Champions League in three years, I would say that is incredible.”
Speaking about Gundogan’s fantastic volleyed opener after 13 seconds, Guardiola said: “It’s the best way to start the final. I think, in general, we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk, because the threat they have up front is so big — especially [Marcus] Rashford, but we controlled it so well. The second half was much better.
“A final against United is always, for many reasons, difficult, but the better team won. We were humble enough to accept how good they are, and we did it. We created more [chances] and conceded fewer. The emotions are so, so special.”
Guardiola joked on City’s opener: “The manager is a genius and I said Stefan [Ortega] to Erling [Haaland], and the first chance it will go in the net. Sometimes in football this happens.”
It remains to be seen where Gundogan will play next season. The German’s contract at City expires in June, and he might sign a new deal despite strong interest from the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan and Barcelona.
“Will it get resolved? Who knows? Hopefully, I wish”, Guardiola admitted. “He knows what I think. We are neighbours for many years, he lives on the same floor as mine. He is a close friend. His season has been exceptional.”
