However, for the varying degrees of glory retaining the Premier League title or winning the FA Cup would bring to add to the League Cup won last month, it is the Champions League that City and Guardiola most desire. A UEFA investigation launched this week into allegations City broke financial fair play rules risks the sanction of the club being banned from the Champions League for a season. Moreover, the Champions League has rarely been so open for a new winner. In his seven seasons at Barca and Bayern, Guardiola never failed to make the Champions League semi-finals. Guardiola has used that crutch to repeatedly play down City’s chances of challenging for the Champions League in his three years in Manchester.

Source: The Express Tribune March 11, 2019 05:34 UTC