New Delhi: As Manchester City prepare to host Leicester City, the occasion will be a landmark moment for manager Pep Guardiola. After a 1-1 draw to Everton at the Etihad Stadium, City will travel to King Power Stadium, where Guardiola will be leading the side for the 500th game. The game is crucial for City, as keep their hopes alive in the Premier League.
For Guardiola though the achievement was always on the cards having led the side to the pinnacle of English football. Since joining the side in 2016, Guardiola has led the side to 18 major trophy wins. His trophy cabinet with City includes, Six Premier League titles, three Community Shield, four League Cups, two FA Cups and one each of UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
.@PepTeam‘s milestone matches as City boss! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/uGy1Es2WJQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2024
Guardiola’s tenure began with a reshaping of the squad that though had depth, was nowhere close to the winning machine that it has become today. City’s last few season have been great with 2022-23 season seeing them take a treble win. After such a height, City and Guardiola’s current season sees them struggling across competitions, with the squad marred with injuries and tactical lagging.
Still, Guardiola’s achievements are by no measure small and is without a doubt one of the greatest managers ever to take charge of Manchester City. For Guardiola, though he has given Man City fans the joy of their life. He has been undefeated in each of the milestone games, with the 400th game against Bayern Munich being a 1-1 draw. Here’s a look back at some of the top moments of the Spaniard’s tenure with City.
Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City (2016)
A Manchester derby is always one full of tension and in only his second season at the helm of City, Guardiola was faced against Jose Mourinho, the then Manchester United manager, at the Old Trafford. The occasion couldn’t be bigger, and Guardiola showcased what was coming during his tenure with City. City had come to the game on the game of a 13-game winning streak in the league while United had maintained a 100% win at home in the 2017-23 season and were unbeaten in 40 games at home.
It began with David Silva silencing the home crowd only for Marcus Rashford to bring back the Old Trafford to life right after the break. However, it was ultimately City who won through Nicola Otamendi, who volleyed from a close range. Even their goalkeeper, Ederson, their biggest summer buy, was an architect to the win, as City went 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool (2019)
It was a big night at Etihad Stadium, as Liverpool took on Man City in what was a faceoff between two of the title contenders. Guardiola’s men were under immense pressure when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came with seven points ahead of Guardiola at the top of the title. The Red were on top of it, on a 20-match unbeaten streak coming into the game.
It started with Sergio Aguero handing a lead to City right before the break only for Roberto Firmino’s header to equalise for Liverpool. However, City’s Leroy Sane made a pinpoint finish for City to head into one of their best title finishes ever. It was a turnaround from here to City’s fortunes.
Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa (2022)
Manchester City were looking at their third consecutive Premier League and the drama came to its head on the final day of the title chase. City staged one of their best fightback against Aston Villa winning the game by a margin of 3-2. Halfway into the game though at Etihad, City were 2-0 behind and were looking set to lose the title to Liverpool.
However, in a nerve-jittery Etihad, City scripted their finest wins ever. In a five-minute timeframe, Ilkay Gundogan’s brace and Rogrigo’s amazing strike ensured that City comfortably took home their sixth Premier League title. It was their fourth title under Guardiola in five years and was a fitting send-off to their captain, Fernandinho.
Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (2023)
Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/5P64qWdnn9
— Recap Football (@recap_football_) April 9, 2024
It was one of the best moments for Pep’s City at the Etihad as they dominated Real Madrid. The reigning Champions League holders had come to the semi-final meeting against City for the second consecutive time. At the first leg, the game was drawn at 1-1 and hence it meant that the place in the Champions League final was to be decided at the Emirates Stadium.
Bernardo Silva put Guardiola’s men ahead in the first half itself with a brace. In the 76th minute, Manuel Akanji sealed City’s fate with Julian Alvarez completing the rout in injury time. It was evidence of what Guardiola and his men could do on their day as they tore apart a strong Madrid side.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (2023)
On the first occasion that it was an all-Manchester FA Cup finalist, it was Gundogan again with his brace that helped City take home the title, just a few days after their third consecutive Premier League title glory. At the Wembley Stadium, City lifted their seventh FA Cup. Gundogan put City ahead in just 12 seconds with an amazing volley, making it the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.
United were able to pull back the game a little, from a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 33rd minute of the game. Gundogan as always rose on the big occasion and delivered the second goal in the 51st minute, beating De Gea’s desperate dive through a volley. This meant that City were now just a game away from completing their perfect treble with a Champions League win a week later.
As Pep Guardiola prepares to lead Manchester City for the 500th game, here’s a look back at the the Spaniard’s tenure at the helm of the Premier League giants. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
