After an incredible domestic season which saw his players seal the Double with victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final last weekend, the focus is now all about seeking to conquer Europe.
Saturday’s eagerly awaited assignment with the Italian giants in Istanbul will mark the end of what has already been a quite remarkable season.
For City, though, there is the chance to join football’s all-time immortals as victory in Turkey would see us secure the cherished Treble.
And looking ahead to the game and occasion at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, the City manager spoke of his sense of excitement and anticipation.
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“It’s a dream to be here,” Guardiola declared.
“It’s really good, dreaming of the game and travelling to Istanbul together.
“Two years ago (in 2021) we were here but in a different situation because of COVID. We will do our best.
“A final is how you behave that specific 95 minutes, not about history.
“We have to be better than the opponent – it doesn’t matter about the group stage, the FA Cup, the Premier League…
“We have to be better in this game.”
As the boss referenced, Saturday will mark City’s second Champions League final in three years following our maiden appearance in the 2021 showpiece.
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On that occasion in a game played in Porto, Portugal in front of a reduced attendance due to COVID restrictions, City were edged out 1-0 by Chelsea.
This time around City will step out fresh from having won the FA Cup to complete a second domestic Double in four years.
But with a historic Treble of league, cup and Champions League within tantalising grasp, the boss said the demands of the game rather than creating history or seeking to atone for the disappointment of 2021 would concentrate minds.
“A few days ago we won the FA Cup,” Guardiola pointed out when asked what the differences were between two years ago and now.
“At that time (2021) we arrived having lost to Chelsea before and we had some doubts about what we should do.
“It’s not the same but both teams play five at the back.
“Chelsea was defensive too. But they had good patterns to punish us. I would not say it is similar, but some things are.
“Hopefully we can attack a little bit better than we did at that time.
“We want to finish differently this time.
“But we have to know exactly what we have to do to beat this opponent in terms of approach, with and without the ball we have to be focused.
“In that time when we played the final, we had a good season in the Premier League.
“It’s quite similar to now, not much difference. It’s difficult to arrive once and win it.
“It’s important to be there and have this opportunity and we want to take it.”
