Pep Guardiola Unleashes a Winning Formula: Man City Triumph in Champions League

Since Pep Guardiola's last Champions League victory, he has won eight league titles, including three in Germany and five in England. It's no surprise that many believe he is obsessed with winning the European tournament. After 12 years, he has finally achieved his goal and is once again celebrating European glory. The focus has been on comparing his achievement to Manchester United's treble in 1999, but perhaps a more revealing comparison is to his own successful Barcelona team in 2011. Despite being seen as stubborn at times, Guardiola has come a long way in his coaching journey.

The victory at Wembley may have been the pinnacle of football for Messi and others, but the 2023 win was a hard-fought battle. However, there is no need for Messi or his team to worry. While there are 115 other potential factors that could diminish this triumph, the way they played in Istanbul is certainly not one of them. Ultimately, it's not about playing the final, but winning it, and City earned their victory after an impressive season.

However, the manner in which they accomplished the victory, in stark contrast to the free and fluid style of play seen a decade ago and even in some parts of this season, sheds light on Guardiola's altered strategy. Despite his frequent assertions that cup competitions are a game of chance, it is worth challenging the notion that this current iteration of City is unquestionably superior to past teams. The outcomes of these matches are often decided by slim margins.

Their performance in the Champions League in 2023 was unparalleled. Despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Tottenham in 2019, this time they emerged as the team with the lowest expected goals conceded. However, what truly set them apart was the incredible strength and resilience of the Guardiola-led squad. The team was structured around a back three, but interestingly neither Rodri nor John Stones, who had played as centre-backs in the World Cup the previous December, were included in this formation.

Guardiola identified improved defense in the box as a key difference, stating that with four central defenders and Kyle Walker, they are a team of proper defenders who feel more solid even when mistakes are made. In the past, the loss of players like Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo, who excelled in attack but struggled defensively, have cost them in important matches like the Champions League final two years ago.

City's current form presents a formidable challenge for their opponents, as there seems to be no clear weakness in their game. Guardiola's strategic decision to field a quintet of Rodri, Stones, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, and Manuel Akanji during the second half of their match against Borussia Dortmund in October has contributed to their success. Akanji's substitution for Cancelo at the interval marked the beginning of a new era for City's defensive strategy.

The quintet made their debut together in a narrow 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace in March. Without wasting any time, Guardiola fielded the same starting line-up in the following match, a resounding 7-0 triumph over RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium, which subsequently became the Champions League final line-up. The same formation was employed for the quarter-final matches against Bayern Munich, with Guardiola only making changes when Nathan Ake's fitness started to dwindle towards the end of the season, when Walker was brought in to replace him.

Throughout the crucial four matches leading up to Saturday, this was the team that Guardiola relied on. The same 10 outfield players were selected for the title showdown against Arsenal, the two-legged semi-final against Real Madrid, and the FA Cup final victory over United. As a result, City has not allowed their opponents to score more than one goal in a game since their 4-2 triumph over Spurs in January. It was on that night when Guardiola criticized his players and referred to them as his "happy flowers" team. Since then, City has adopted a more cautious approach.

Gary Neville spoke to Sky Sports about Pep's discussion on proper defenders, which was fascinating as it challenged their usual style of play. The concept of having a team with four centre-backs was something new and different for Guardiola. However, this approach goes against the idea of pragmatism in football, which typically involves relying on long throws and passes to achieve success on the field. Guardiola's game style is far more sophisticated and intricate.

Guardiola is not a purist, as he prioritizes effectiveness over aesthetic appeal when it comes to playing the positional and possession game. This is evident in his recent adjustments to accommodate players like Erling Haaland, which have resulted in changes in the profile of his defenders. Interestingly, Guardiola has come full circle, as he previously desired a team of midfielders and even won previous Champions League finals with Yaya Toure and Javier Mascherano in the center of his defense. Currently, he has defenders playing in his midfield.

City appeared invincible, capable of winning even without their usual flow. However, their players acknowledged their subpar performance in the final. Ilkay Gundogan admitted, "We were not at our best," while Jack Grealish went as far as saying, "I was awful." Rodri used more blunt language to describe his own display. City only managed to attempt seven shots during the match.

However, what sets them apart is their ability to secure victories in the crucial matches.

The coach known for his expertise in securing league titles, despite often falling short in critical moments, has now changed the game. Guardiola's celebratory demeanor spoke of a sense of relief and liberation from the immense pressure placed upon him. The question now is whether this newfound sense of freedom will lead to a more expressive City team, and his European rivals may be watching with anticipation.

Because while his brilliant Barcelona never did retain the Champions League, this Manchester City machine just might.