Manager Pep Guardiola can prepare for his fourth Champions League final as a trainer and finally break the ‘Guardiola’s Champions League curse’. With the victory over Real Madrid (4-0) in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Manchester City qualified for the final battle in Istanbul. Internazionale is waiting there.
Finalist Guardiola can finally deal with CL curse after twelve years
When Guardiola first qualified for the final of the tournament in 2009, he was only in his first season at the highest level. Ten months after he was appointed coach of Barcelona, he already conquered the world. Guardiola met Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in Rome and was too strong for them. Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi scored the goals.
Two years later, Guardiola won again. With perhaps the best football of all time, the tiki-taka, United were again the opponent. At Wembley, the British top club was completely played off the mat. Pedro, Messi and David Villa scored the goals. Wayne Rooney bounced back, but it wasn’t enough to beat Guardiola’s Barça. In three years it was the second time for Guardiola.
The world was at the feet of the Catalan and after the move to Bayern Munich it seemed a matter of time before the coach would also win the Champions League in southern Germany. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bayern played unparalleled under Guardiola, but in three seasons the Bavarians failed three times in the semi-finals. The trainer then decided to leave.
In 2016, Guardiola entered the Premier League. With the main goal: winning the Champions League. For a long time there seemed to be a curse, as his formation was eliminated four times in a row in the quarterfinals. In 2021 the chance came, but precisely at the supreme moment, in the final against Chelsea, things went wrong (0-1).
Two years later, Guardiola still gets the chance to complete his trilogy after a curse of eleven failed attempts. After the victory over Real Madrid, Manchester City can finally conquer that coveted trophy on June 10. Then you have to deal with Internazionale. It would be the crowning glory of Guardiola’s service in England.
Guardiola’s Champions League curse
| Year | Club | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 2011/2012 | Barcelona | Semi finals |
| 2012/2013 | – | – |
| 2013/2014 | Bayern Munich | Semi finals |
| 2014/2015 | Bayern Munich | Semi finals |
| 2015/2016 | Bayern Munich | Semi finals |
| 2016/2017 | Manchester City | Eighth final |
| 2017/2018 | Manchester City | quarter final |
| 2018/2019 | Manchester City | Quarter final |
| 2019/2020 | Manchester City | Quarter final |
| 2020/2021 | Manchester City | Final |
| 2021/2022 | Manchester City | Semi finals |
| 2022/2023 | Manchester City | Final |
