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City hosts Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday, aiming to maintain its unbeaten start. The team occupies fourth place in the group stage table, and a victory over the Bundesliga team will strengthen its place in the top eight as it seeks a direct path to the knockout stages.
It will be Guardiola’s 100th game as City coach in the competition, with their crowning moment coming in 2023 when they lift the trophy after beating Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul.
But they were also on the brink of failure, losing the 2021 final to Chelsea and losing to Real Madrid in the semi-final the following year when the La Liga giants scored three late goals in the second leg.
“I realize I’m getting older. Every weekend is a milestone,” Guardiola said, referring to the fact that Manchester City is the only English team to have qualified for the last 14 Champions League competitions.
He added: “We have been there every season, and we hope to be there next season as well.”
“It’s special for the players, the coaches and everyone. To challenge yourself with the best teams in Europe is incredible, a huge experience. For the club, in terms of frequency, prestige and financial issues, it’s extremely important.”
“There are more disappointments than good moments. There were good moments, especially in the group stages, and we were at the top every season, except last season with the new format.
He added, “But of course it was a great experience. The good moments and the bad moments define the team and the club. Sport is difficult, so not everything on the road is rosy or easy and comfortable.”
Last season was the first time in eight years that City failed to win a major trophy, as they were eliminated in the Champions League play-off round, finished third in the Premier League, and lost to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
Defender Jusko Gvardiol said: “This was the worst season of my career.” “It was painful. I couldn’t sleep at night because I was trying to find solutions and I was trying to help the team and everyone at the club to get out of this situation.
“Sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes things don’t go the way we wanted, but I’m glad we got through it and are recovering well.”
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