Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola stated that Manchester City’s Champions League victory was “written in the stars”, following his team’s triumph in securing a treble in Istanbul on Sunday.
In addition to the Premier League and FA Cup championships they had previously won this season, City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 to seize their first Champions League championship.
“I’m drained, at ease, and content,” said Guardiola, who previously won the Triple with Barcelona. “The stars had it planned. It was ours for the taking.”
At the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, midfielder Rodri’s goal in the 68th minute—his second Champions League goal in 48 games—was enough to defeat Inter Milan.
Rodri, the man of the match, stated “We deserve it, and my team deserve it. We were quite close in the previous years. Just a little note of gratitude to everybody. It was difficult. The way Milan defended and counterattacked shows what a team we were up against.”
“We gave it all we had. Expecting to play at your usual level is unrealistic. Nerves and emotions were present. We engaged in serious competition. This is a dream. Never again will this probably repeat.”
After losing to Chelsea in the 2021 final, Manchester City made their second appearance in the Champions League final in three years.
Erling Haaland, who joined City last summer, scored 12 goals in the Champions League this season. The 22-year-old Norwegian also scored 52 goals in all competitions, shattering the Premier League record of 36 goals in a season.
Haaland told BT Sport, “In my wildest fantasies, I would never have imagined this. It demonstrates what a guy from a tiny Norwegian town can achieve. Younger boys in my hometown have optimism because of this. It’s incredible.”
Working with Guardiola, who won two Champions League medals with Barcelona before leading City to their first, was “very fantastic,” according to Haaland.
“We get along well, and I’m eager for our friendship to grow even more in the upcoming season,” he continued. “It’s a terrific place to be to be getting taught by the finest coach in the world every single day.”
