Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s routine stroll into the Champions League quarter-finals is cause for celebration despite a subdued 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
All the hard work for the English champions was done with a 5-0 win in the Portuguese capital three weeks ago as City reached the Last 8 for the fifth consecutive season. “It’s a good sign,” said Guardiola. “The last decade, step-by-step the club grew up. Every season playing this competition, qualifying for Last 16 and now in the best eight teams in Europe.”
City are on course for a fourth Premier League title in five seasons, but the Champions League has so far remained out of reach despite the billions invested by the club’s Abu Dhabi owners.
Guardiola knows his legacy in Manchester will be judged on whether he can finally make City champions of Europe. However, he believes the achievement of just becoming a regular contender should not be overlooked. “Every year when we qualify for the Champions League I celebrate it that night because I know how difficult it is,” he added. “When you qualify for Last 16, I celebrate it. Now it’s time to congratulate everyone, focus on the EPL and see who we get in the draw.”
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