Guardiola had said before the match that United was a dangerous opponent because the club’s legacy was on the line, there were the achievements of the past to protect. “Now we can talk about the treble,” Guardiola told reporters after the match. Only Inter Milan can now stop City from sporting immortality, making this defeat for United and its fans an especially bitter one. After defeat United manager Erik ten Hag described Guardiola’s team as the best in the world and few would argue with that claim. Such is the caliber of the team assembled by Guardiola, it is the favorite to win in Istanbul. The other club to have achieved that feat? Manchester United in 1999, which helps explain why this was no ordinary FA Cup final.

This Saturday Wembley, next Saturday Istanbul where City could become only the second English club to win all three major trophies in a season if it overcomes Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Two goals from captain İlkay Gündoğan – the first 12 seconds after kick off for the quickest in FA Cup history – secured a win which gave City its second trophy of the season and maintained the team’s quest to win the ‘treble’ of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. United had opportunities, yet City had the composure, the know-how, the class. A victory for the blue side of Manchester was never a foregone conclusion. It is why this team continues to chase history this season.Īs the 2-1 scoreline would suggest, this FA Cup match between bitter rivals City and Manchester United was a tense affair. There have been matches where the team has scored more and created more – yet City’s ability to dominate its opponent, to do enough to win when it matters is as perfect as it gets on a soccer pitch. Manchester City has produced more polished performances under Pep Guardiola this season.

Perfection can come in many forms and be interpreted in different ways.

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