Manchester City will play Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium tonight to open their UEFA Champions League defense.
After leaving in the summer, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte will not be available for Pep Guardiola as he attempts to win back-to-back Champions League titles for the first time in his managerial career.
Nevertheless, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku’s high-profile transfers have made Manchester City arguably stronger.
One Manchester City source has made a statement in advance of tonight’s match.
What’s the premise?
Well, the Telegraph has provided us with some information about how Manchester City’s executives currently feel about the European stage.
We’d like to replicate that (domestic success) in the Champions League, a senior Etihad Stadium source who shall remain nameless was quoted as saying.”.
It’s undoubtedly our goal, the unnamed source continued.
Consistent success in Europe, in our opinion, is what distinguishes great European teams.”.
Manchester City is now aiming to sweep everything in sight on the European stage after finally winning the UEFA Champions League, which follows seven Premier League titles wins since 2011, three FA Cup victories, and six League Cup triumphs.
With a victory in the UEFA Super Cup, that quest has gotten off to a strong start, and the Citizens, who achieved the remarkable treble last season, are already heavy favorites to win the UEFA Champions League this year.
Focus is essential for Guardiola’s team, and no one should be underrated.
However, knockout football is a different animal than Premier League football, and one moment of madness can frequently send the strongest team home early.
The main advantage is that Manchester City’s treble-winning team is still relatively young, so there is no reason to believe that this winning streak will come to an end any time soon.
While Rodri, Ederson, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, and Ruben Dias are all arguably still in their formative years, the additions of Gvardiol and Doku, both 21 years old, have strengthened the Citizens in important ways.
The future for Manchester City is incredibly promising, regardless of what happens this season.
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