Eko Hot Blog reports that Pep Guardiola declared that Manchester City have earned their place among the perennial contenders for Champions League glory after reaching the quarterfinals for a seventh consecutive season with a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.
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City completed a 6-2 aggregate rout of the Danish champions, with Guardiola able to rest several star players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.
Goals from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez effectively killed the tie within 10 minutes before Erling Haaland drilled in his 29th goal of the season, taking his Champions League tally to 41 – matching Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero’s record, but in just 37 appearances for three different clubs.
Despite Copenhagen’s brief resistance through Mohamed Elyounoussi’s goal, Guardiola acknowledged that his side is now well-respected and seen as favorites alongside Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
“The important thing is being there (in the quarter-finals) seven years in a row, it’s quite impressive,” said Guardiola. “We are well-respected from our opponents. The numbers are there – our consistency.”
Reflecting on City’s journey to the European elite, Guardiola added, “I remember when I arrived, we didn’t believe, the club didn’t believe we could do it because we didn’t have the hierarchy in Europe like teams in Spain or Germany. It was a question of time, a process.”
“The problem is the managers in modern football don’t have time. They gave me time, our hierarchy, so credit to them for accepting the process. Now we are a team that believe we can do it.”
With City remaining on course for another treble after conquering Europe for the first time last season, Guardiola praised the club’s patience and belief in his long-term vision.
“The numbers are there—our consistency,” he said. “I remember when I arrived, we didn’t believe, and the club didn’t believe we could do it because we didn’t have the hierarchy in Europe like teams in Spain or Germany. It was a question of time, a process.”
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As the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals approaches on March 15, Manchester City’s ominous form—18 wins and two draws in their last 20 games across all competitions—positions them as a formidable force among Europe’s heavyweights.
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