Pep Guardiola, the enigmatic manager of Manchester City, has a knack for downplaying his team’s chances before delivering remarkable achievements. Last season, City secured an unprecedented treble, winning the Premier League, domestic cup, and Champions League. However, as the defending champions enter the round-of-16 first leg against FC Copenhagen, Guardiola has emphatically ruled out the possibility of a repeat treble triumph. Is he being modest or giving a dose of reality?
Since the inception of the Champions League in 1992, only seven teams, including Manchester City, have accomplished the treble. However, none of them managed to defend their titles and achieve the treble again the following year. Even Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious treble-winning Manchester United side of 1999-2000 stumbled in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and had to withdraw from the FA Cup. Similar patterns occurred with other treble winners like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich. Guardiola’s claim, based on historical evidence, may hold some merit.
One unique advantage City holds in their pursuit of back-to-back trebles is the absence of a dominant emerging team in the Champions League. In previous years, formidable opponents such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich have thwarted treble winners. However, this season lacks a clear contender for the throne. Bayern is struggling domestically, PSG’s prowess is waning, Barcelona is faltering, and other potential challengers like Dortmund and Atletico Madrid seem unlikely to spring surprises. The competition appears relatively weak, which is an encouraging sign for City.
While the Champions League is just one piece of the treble puzzle, City’s dominance faces a sterner test on their domestic front. Liverpool, the team they fear most, is absent from this season’s Champions League. However, the Premier League and FA Cup still stand as formidable challenges, with Liverpool posing a significant threat. Guardiola’s cautious approach to downplay treble aspirations may stem from the recognition that success in Europe does not guarantee glory on the home front.
Examining potential contenders in the Premier League and FA Cup, City’s path to glory seems more feasible. Liverpool, their most potent challenger in recent times, is not part of the Champions League equation. As for other adversaries, Arsenal lacks consistency, Inter Milan may not match City’s strength, and Real Madrid already suffered a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Guardiola’s side in the previous season. While challenges remain, City appears to have a clear and navigable path to success in these competitions.
Guardiola’s pessimism may stem from his candid recognition of the difficulties intrinsic to securing consecutive trebles. No team has ever accomplished this feat before, which speaks volumes about its level of complexity. Moreover, based on historical instances, treble winners have often struggled in subsequent seasons. Guardiola’s cautionary words might serve as a defense mechanism, shielding his players from complacency and managing external expectations.
Manchester City undoubtedly faces an arduous task in their quest for back-to-back trebles. While Guardiola’s realism appears grounded in historical context, their absence of a significant challenger in Europe’s elite competition provides a glimmer of hope. However, as treble dreams require triumph in multiple competitions, Guardiola’s acknowledgement of the formidable challenges in the Premier League and FA Cup cannot be dismissed. Only time will reveal if Manchester City can defy the odds and etch their names into football history with an unprecedented achievement.