The Manchester City vs Chelsea duel in the Champions League final at the Stadio Dragao, Sunday (30/5), will be Pep Guardiola’s momentum to escape Lionel Messi’s shadow.
During his coaching career, Guardiola has only won the Champions League twice, all of which were with Barcelona.
In the 2008/2009 season, Guardiola led the Blaugrana to win the Champions League for the third time after beating Manchester United 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Two seasons later, in the hands of Guardiola, Barcelona won the fourth Champions League trophy in the club’s history in 2010/2011. Again Barcelona won the Champions League after beating Man United, 3-1 at Wembley Stadium.
At that time, Guardiola and Barcelona triumphed in the Champions League when Lionel Messi was at the top of the game.
La Pulga has won several individual titles: Player and Striker of the Year 2008/2009, Ballon d’Or 2009, Best Player and Striker 2011/2012, and Ballon d’Or 2012 which became the fourth Ballon d’Or in a row since 2009. Coupled with the top 2012 La Liga scores.
In the period 2008/2009 to 2011/2012, Messi made Barcelona dominate domestic and European competitions.
In addition to two Champions League titles, 3 Spanish League titles, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 European Super Cups, 2 Club World Cup titles, and 3 European Super Cup trophies were recorded by Guardiola and Barcelona.
Guardiola’s dependence on Lionel Messi in the Champions League was proven when he coached Bayern Munich for three seasons.
During his time in charge of Munich, Guardiola’s best achievement was only in the semifinals in three consecutive seasons from 2013/2014 to 2015/2016.
Guardiola’s luck as the world’s top coach has also not been proven when he was the coach of Man City since July 2016.
Prior to this season’s final, Guardiola placed The Citizens in the quarter-finals in the last three seasons, while in his first season only until the round of 16 after being eliminated by AS Monaco.
However, after being released from the ‘curse’ of never reaching the Champions League final after parting ways with Messi, now Guardiola can again lift the Big Ear trophy.
Against Chelsea can prove Guardiola won the Champions League without the shadow of Lionel Messi.
The 50-year-old coach has a big chance of winning the Champions League this season. Based on statistics, Guardiola has never lost when he reached the Champions League final.
These conditions can make Man City’s big dream come true by expecting Guardiola’s magic in the Champions League.
Before being bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, Man City was a mediocre club in England.
At that time their title collection was limited to 2 Premier League trophies, 4 FA Cups, 2 English League Cups, with the highest title being the 1969/1970 Cup Winners’ Cup.
But after being taken over by the Middle East consortium, until now The Citizens added to the trophy cabinet with 5 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and 6 League Cups.
Only the title in Europe that has not been owned by Manchester Blue. After the change of ownership, the Champions League title has always been what Man City chased in every season.
However, since their first appearance in the Champions League era in 2011/2012, Man City’s best achievement has only been in the semifinals of the 2015/2016 season.
In the 2015/2016 season, Man City, who was still coached by Manuel Pellegrini, was eliminated by Real Madrid after losing 0-1 on aggregate.
Now, with the hope of Guardiola’s luck, Man City’s long wait to win the Champions League can come to an end.
Man City’s chances of winning the Champions League this season are strengthened by Guardiola’s slick reports over Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel.
So far Guardiola has met Chelsea 18 times in all competitions, with 8 wins and 7 defeats.
Guardiola’s record against Tuchel in various tournaments is also positive after winning 4 times and losing 2 times in 7 matches.
