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Man City in the Champions League Quarter-Finals
Despite manager Pep Guardiola’s desire to go cautiously, Manchester City has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League following their victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on March 16.
The match on March 16 altered Man City’s course in the Champions League championship contest.
They are up against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals.
Last Tuesday’s game against Gladbach ended with goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, securing the Citizen’s position.
When they faced Real Madrid in the 2015–2016 semifinals, they were defeated.
At the time, Manuel Pellegrini served as their manager.
The coaching and managing prowess of Pep Guardiola will determine and guide the course of the games.
Guardiola is cautious, though, and believes that it is risky to view such elite teams as contenders.
To BBC Sport, he spoke. “I was told we had to win the Champions League the first year I came here,”
“I don’t have the semifinals on my mind. The first good game and the second game [in the quarterfinals] come to mind. I’m only worried about this.
Man City, are you up to the task?
It appears to be a huge season for Man City.
They are Champions League quarterfinalists, are within 14 points from winning the Premier League in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and will play Tottenham in the 2021 EFL Cup Final in April.
Premier League games are scheduled for tomorrow, and City is determined to collect points.
Man United has a say in how the Premier League champions are revealed, incidentally.
The Premier League title will be awarded to Man City in April, and the Champions League semifinals have been scheduled for the latter part of April and the middle of May if United drops its points.
A break for the Citizens as well; they can put the three games scheduled for May behind them and still be crowned Premier League Champions.
If Man City keeps up their performance and wins their future games in the next weeks, they may win the title even if United does not lose any points.
The deadline has been set as May 8.
Additionally, this will make it easy for Guardiola to switch up his team.
“It demonstrates you’re the most consistent side throughout, in the toughest league in the world,” he told BBC Sport.
In the past five, six, or seven years, the best two teams in the Premier League would battle; today, the top six teams are very talented.
The top priority was to win the Premier League for the entire season.
Another feather in the Champions League cap?
This season, City has kept 26 clean sheets in all competitions.
Guardiola has effectively led his team. Key players have slept in between while he has rotated his personnel.
Only one goal has been allowed in the eight Champions League games.
Former City player Owen Hargreaves stated that the defense is crucial for City.
“The defense is practically stronger today; the basis wasn’t as strong as the attack.
They consistently score one or two goals and retain clean sheets.
He told BT Sport, “This feels like their greatest chance.
The former City striker Paul Dickov added, “Maintaining a fit squad will be key.
They have a tremendous opportunity if they maintain that squad fresh as the game progresses.
“Going into the quarterfinals against clubs that have the history, who know how to win it, it could make it harder for them, but if City keeps going the way they’re going, there’s no reason why they can’t win it,” the author said.
The Champions League is a major competition, he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The owners have been open about wanting to play in the Champions League ever since they initially took over, around 10 or 11 years ago.
“I honestly feel Pep Guardiola knows Manchester City has every possibility of winning the three domestic titles – it’s the Champions League that’s the big one,” Pat Nevin said on 5 live.
Guardiola believes there are unresolved issues.
He had two chances to win the Champions League with Barcelona but fell to Bayern Munich both times.
He claims Manchester City will be judged as a team based on its championships.
“Everyone is in good shape, but anything may change in a day.
He believes that if we deserve it, we shall advance and if not, we will be kicked out.
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Is the Quadruple a Realistic Option?
Guardiola has the experience to back up claims of a quadruple this season, despite his initial skepticism.
In his native Spain, the 50-year-old Spaniard built Bayern Munich into a dominant force. He transformed Barcelona into a football powerhouse that rivals dreaded.
He altered how football is played in Europe, and for that, he became a force to be reckoned with. His tenure at Barca is also legendary.
But he is aware that there are two sides to every coin.
A sign will be provided by tomorrow’s FA Cup quarterfinal game against Everton.
We are close, but we still have games to play, he told BBC Sport. Sometimes winning earlier in a tournament hurts your chances in later ones.
“When you must compete to win one title, you must compete to win the other titles. Avoid thinking too far ahead and concentrate on the next task.
