Pep Guardiola achieved a remarkable feat by leading Manchester City to secure their first Champions League title with a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan. This victory marked Guardiola’s second treble, making him the first manager in Europe to achieve such a milestone. The achievement drew comparisons to his successful tenure at Barcelona in 2008-09.
During that season, Guardiola’s Barcelona team boasted an exceptional squad comprising top Spanish players. The likes of Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta formed the core of both the club and the national team, which went on to win the 2010 World Cup. Additionally, the Brazilian full-back Dani Alves played a vital role, supplying the exceptional strike force consisting of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, and Thierry Henry.
In terms of squad quality, Manchester City has assembled one of the most impressive teams in the history of club football. Players like Julian Alvares, Phil Foden, and Riyad Mahrez, who were integral to their respective national teams’ success, often find it challenging to secure a spot in the starting lineup. Moreover, the acquisition of Erling Haaland has further strengthened Guardiola’s team, as the young Norwegian striker broke records by scoring more goals than Mohamed Salah in a 38-game Premier League season.
Guardiola’s Barcelona side was renowned for their possession-based style of play, commonly referred to as “Tiki-Taka.” This style relied on quick short passes, intelligent movement, and positional interchange. It not only dazzled opponents but also contributed to Spain’s dominance in international football, leading them to win two European Championships and a World Cup. At Manchester City, Guardiola introduced an evolution of “total football,” implementing a near-perfect fluid system with players constantly interchanging positions. Additionally, City excels in their relentless high-pressing game. The team’s flexibility allows them to adapt and change systems as per the requirements of each match. Last season, they even won the Premier League without a traditional center-forward, and with Haaland’s arrival, they have the option to adopt a more direct style when needed.
In the 2008-09 season, Barcelona won the La Liga title with 87 points, finishing nine points ahead of Real Madrid. They scored an impressive total of 105 goals and concluded the campaign with an unbeaten streak of 22 matches. Messi, Eto’o, and Henry were instrumental in their success, collectively netting 100 goals in all competitions. Messi emerged as the top scorer in La Liga with 38 goals, while Eto’o contributed 30 strikes. In the Champions League final, Barcelona triumphed over Manchester United with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Eto’o and Messi.
This season, Manchester City clinched their fifth Premier League title under Guardiola’s guidance, becoming only the second club to win it three consecutive times. Their dominance in English League football history is evident as they strive to become the first team to secure the Premier League title four times in a row. Moreover, City emerged victorious in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, joining an elite group of English teams that have won the treble.
