LONDON • For all of Manchester City's quality, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has said that his team can be considered as one of Europe's elite clubs only if they lift the elusive Champions League trophy.
City have won the Premier League three times since the Abu Dhabi United Group bought them in 2008, but have never gone past the semi-final stage of Europe's premier club competition.
"If you want to be in the international elite... you need to clinch this trophy," Gundogan told uefa.com ahead of today's last-16, first-leg clash at Schalke.
"I think that, if we were to win it some day, the club would enter a new era, the same level as Real (Madrid), Barcelona, Bayern (Munich) or Juventus, clubs that are maybe a step above us."
City were defeated in the last 16 three times in the previous five seasons while their only semi-final appearance came in 2016 when they were knocked out by Real 1-0 on aggregate.
"We've experienced a lot in the Champions League in recent years, not all of it positive, of course. We should've won it at least once," Gundogan added.
"The biggest low was probably being knocked out by Liverpool (in the quarter-finals) last season.
"For that reason, the motivation to go far in this competition is huge and I think we have the quality required."
As their Premier League title rivals Liverpool sunned themselves in Marbella last week, City were getting muddy in beating Newport 4-1 in the FA Cup last Saturday to stay on course for a historic clean sweep of four trophies.
City, top of the Premier League on goal difference, should cruise past a Schalke side languishing in 14th place in the German Bundesliga.
After the Schalke clash, City will bid to lift their first silverware of the season when they take on Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday.
"It's better to be in this situation," insisted manager Pep Guardiola at going for four trophies rather than concentrating playing resources towards Champions League and Premier League success.
"It's important in February to be here, in four competitions. Now we go to the biggest stage, the Champions League, and we will see (what happens) in May and June."
Rather than fearing the fatigue from fighting on four fronts, Guardiola is embracing the challenge and at least has the luxury of strength in depth to call on.
Leroy Sane, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez all scored against Newport to make their case for a Champions League start in Gelsenkirchen.
Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus open their own last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid today as they continue their push for the European title which has eluded them for over two decades.
"We have to score at least one goal in Madrid, our qualification depends on this," warned the Italian.
"The two teams are evenly balanced."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
SCHALKE V MAN CITY
Singtel TV Ch110 & StarHub Ch214, tomorrow, 3.55am
Mariah & Raymond's baby bliss is cut short when Raymond expresses doubts. The triplets' medical issues haunt Julia even after they've been released from the NICU. Autumn's labor brings her and
Step Up or Ship Out | Rattled - tlc.com
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a new benchmark in global stadium design, offering one of the finest spectator experiences in the world and, by incorporating a fully retractable pitch, becoming the first purpose-built home for the NFL in Europe.
Tottenham Hot Spurs at Amazon | Top Songs from 59p
AD
Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday. He was 35. Reyes, who shot to fame at Sevilla before a
Football: Grief in Sevilla as former star Jose Antonio Reyes
Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at Leicester Tweet. Share. View photos. Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Cardiff City - King Power Stadium, Leicester
Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at
Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final
This is a life-long process and is vital as it relates to self-trust. One of the main reasons we don't trust ourselves is that we haven't forgiven ourselves for mistakes we've made, pain we've caused, or regrets we have. These "demons" from our past haunt us and we use them as evidence to not go for things and not trust ourselves.
What Happens When We Trust Ourselves? - YouTube
Captain Tim Paine expressed his relief after Australia beat India in the second Test to level the series at 1-1. Having lost in Adelaide, the Baggy Greens hit back in Perth to record a 146-run triumph and ensure there is everything to play for when the battle is resumed in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
Post-scandal Australia 'grit' hailed after 'best win' for
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning move to Italian champions Juventus when his contract expires with the Gunners in the summer, according to reports on Thursday. The
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey set to cash in with Juventus move
Manchester City aren't set to rest players for Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City despite being behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, says manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City set to rest Sergio Aguero ahead of busy
Zinedine Zidane allays fears over Cristiano Ronaldo injury final later this month.The club's all-time record goalscorer was replaced at half-time during Sunday's 2-2 Clasico draw with
Cristiano Ronaldo provides injury update after limping out of
Pep Guardiola to make late decision on Sergio Aguero's fitness for FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham looming ES Football newsletter. Guardiola will make a decision over whether to recall Mendy.
Silva and Zinchenko 'better' as Man City head to Palace
Leonardo Bonucci has backtracked on suggestions his Juventus team-mate Moise Kean was partly responsible for the racist abuse he received from Cagliari supporters by insisting he was
Moise Kean: Paul Pogba lends support to Juventus star
Liverpool forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will miss Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona through injury. Salah left the pitch on a stretcher after an aerial
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino ruled out of FC
Man City 1-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero penalty, Man City one point behind leaders Liverpool Sergio Aguero's penalty gave champions Manchester City a slender win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium
0 comments:
Post a Comment