It wasn’t until 2008, when an ownership change was made that Manchester City began to really establish themselves among the European clubs that can be regarded as elite. While they have a truly prodigious list of domestic accomplishments over that decade they are yet to win the UEFA Champions League, or even reach the final.
They have one semi-final appearance and three quarter-finals since ’08, but overall they are a club that’s pretty much green in the later stages of the competition.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola acknowledged this today, when he referred to his club as “teenagers” in the UCL late stages during his news conference today ahead of tomorrow night’s round of 16 clash at home versus FC Schalke.
“Of course we can arrive in the last stages and make another step forward, I cannot deny that,” said Guardiola.
“But to compare with those teams, one silverware doesn’t change it. We are teenagers in this competition. We want to win it, we push ourselves.”
“The best way is to feel this kind of pressure.”
(Guardiola press conference video is below:)
“We have to dream and point as high as possible.”
City are considered among the favorites for in the 2018-19 UCL competition, if not THE favorite to win the whole tournament. Of course, anything can happen though- just ask Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain about last week.
“At the same time we have to accept there are other teams thinking the same with a lot of quality and a lot of talent. The English teams right now — United and Tottenham are there — and we cannot deny how strong they are. In 90 or 180 minutes, everything can happen and we want to compete against them,” Guardiola continued.
“OK, we are favorites (Wednesday night), but in one game anything can happen. United showed incredible character, with 10 players out injured. PSG are 20 points in front in their league, nobody expected it. Ajax went to Madrid (and won 4-1). Everything is open.”
City are looking like world beaters right now, with a true chance at a quadruple, so one would think the smart money would be on the Citizens. However, City knows all too well from the first leg of this tie, when they were trailing up until the 85′, not to take anything for granted.
Manchester City vs FC Schalke UCL Round of 16 Leg 2 of 2 (Aggregate 3-2) FYIs
Kick-off: Tuesday March 12, City of Manchester Stadium, 8pm (BST)
Man City Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
Form Guide: Manchester City WWDWWW FC Schalke LDLLLL
Odds via Sky Bet: Manchester City 1/7, Draw 13/2, Schalke 18/1
Google Result Probability: Manchester City win 82%, Draw 13%, FC Schalke win 5%
Prediction: City 2, FC Schalke 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.