Last night, Manchester City’s long sought achievement to win the Champions League finally ended in triumph against Inter Milan in Istanbul as Pep Guardiola’s side completed the Treble.
Historically, after winning the Premier League and FA Cup, City has repeated Manchester United’s triple trophy feat of 1999 as they became the only other English club to achieve the feat.
This was an evening when only the result mattered to City, not the manner in which their greatest victory was achieved.
This was not a win secured with the dazzling style and creation that is usually their hallmark. In fact for long periods it was a scrappy, sloppy performance in the face of a well-drilled Inter side who were right in this Champions League Final until the whistle went.
Second most memorable moment of the evening was the 68th minute goal by Rodri which he pulled off a build-up play from Manuel Akanji and Bernardo Silva.
Rodri’s right-foot shot got away from the reach of Inter’s very outstanding keeper Andre Onana.
After this goal, City had to endure nervy, dangerous moments in the dying minutes of the match and, when it was all over, Guardiola who had been visibly agitated in his technical area, became relatively calm.
The celebrations at the final whistle was thunderous and reflected a magnificent season as City finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy.
Now the citizens prepare to parade their prized trophy around the streets of Manchester along with the Premier League and FA Cup on Monday.
Congratulations City, congratulations City fans, revel in your bragging rights and most of all, congratulations to Pep Guardiola the all time great manager who has won the Champions League twice at Barcelona FC and now a third time for the citizens. What a season, what a coach and what a side.
