Manchester City faces Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Citizens are playing their second consecutive Champions League semi-finals and their third in the club’s history.
Last season they came close to winning the Champions League as they were beaten in the final by Chelsea, Kai Havertz’s only goal in the first half was enough to deny Manchester city their first Champions league.
Pep Guardiola has won 10 trophies with Manchester City, the only trophy eluding the Spaniard is the Champions League.
However, Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes a Champions League triumph by Guardiola will elevate him to the status of Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
What did Cole say?
Andy Cole told bookmakers.co.uk, “The Champions League has eluded Manchester City over the last few years,”.
.”They have a tough game in this year’s semi-final with Real Madrid. Could it be the season they finally do it? It could well be. “When you try to win the European Cup, you need a little bit of luck to go your way.”
“Yes, I would believe that Pep Guardiola has to win the Champions League to achieve that status,” Cole said when asked if the City boss needed another victory in the competition to be thought of in the same category as Sir Alex Ferguson. “Pep Guardiola is such a brilliant manager with what he has achieved in the game and by all accounts, he’s a fantastic manager to work for.”
He went on further to say that to win the Champions requires a team effort and not individual effort and referenced real Madrid as proof that the Champions league requires teamwork.
“It’s not a case of man for a man when you look at the squads,” the 1999 Champions League winner explained. It’s how they perform as a team out on the pitch. Especially with what Real Madrid has done this season. I don’t believe anyone expected Madrid to get to the semis, but they pulled it out. All these clubs want the same thing. It should be a really good tie though.”
Pep Guardiola has urged his players to try and enjoy the occasion as they host 13th-time Champions League winner Real Madrid at the Etihad.
“It’s the semi-final of the Champions League. I ask our fans to take a train, a car, a bus to be with us. We need them,” Guardiola declared.
“This is the third time this Club has played semi of the Champions League against a team who has a few Champions Leagues in the trophy cabinet.
“It is a special night for us. We have to enjoy it and give everything we have in our souls. And after we will see what happens.”
He also provided an update on Manchester City’s injury situation.
“We don’t have many options.
“We don’t have full-backs. I don’t know when Kyle will arrive. We will see. Joao [Cancelo] is out {against Real Madrid in the Champions League due to suspension] and John will be difficult to get through.”
