Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola finally opens up about winning the treble this season after emerging triumphant over rival Manchester United and securing the FA Cup title in a thrilling contest.
Pep Guardiola reminds players of must-win UEFA Champions League final
Speaking to the BBC, Guardiola said, “Now is the first time we can talk about the treble. Against United, it was special for our city, for our fans. We performed really well. Really, really well. I am so pleased.”
He then emphasized how the Cityzens must win against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final in order to receive the recognition the team deserves.
Your FA Cup winners! 🏆💙 pic.twitter.com/Gn4T0Q9UtQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 3, 2023
“We have done incredible, five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and Carabaos but we have to win the Champions League to be recognised how the team deserves to be. It has been amazing, been fun, but we have to win it.”
“We are one game away. I said to the players you have to put the pressure on yourself. To be recognised as something good you have to win Europe.”
Manchester City dominates rivals Manchester United to clinch FA Cup
The Citizens continued to display their dominant performance throughout the season in the FA Cup final as well. Taking place at Wembley, captain Ilkay Gundogan scored in the very first minute of the game after his brilliant volley from outside the box beat Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.
0️⃣0️⃣:1️⃣2️⃣@IlkayGuendogan with the fastest goal in FA Cup final history! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/V7L2g9HdXU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 4, 2023
The Red Devils made a comeback in the 33rd minute after captain Bruno Fernandes converted his penalty following a deflection off Jack Grealish’s fingers from a lofted ball. However, Gundogan stepped up and struck home again in the 51st minute with a volley off Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick.
Gundogan received the Man of the Match award for his sublime performance.
Manchester City just one more step away from historic treble
With the Premier League and the FA Cup in the bag, Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking for one more victory in the UEFA Champions League final to match Manchester United’s record of winning the treble in 1999.
A happy Guardiola commented on his players: “One more to go – they feel we are in a position that we will probably never be in again. We will have two days off and then after we have three or four training sessions, prepare for Inter Milan, then go there to try.”
Man City since Pep Guardiola took over:
Premier League: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
League Cup: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
FA Cup: 🏆🏆
Community Shield: 🏆🏆GOAT manager? pic.twitter.com/fnDMtwIUv5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 3, 2023
Manchester City will be giving their all out in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday, June 10, and we can’t wait to hear the kick-off whistle!
