Manchester City have to be thought of one in every of soccer’s heavyweight golf equipment after successful the Champions League to finish a uncommon treble, captain Ilkay Gundogan stated, whereas a teary-eyed Jack Grealish hailed supervisor Pep Guardiola as a “genius”.
Players had been in tears after Rodri’s emphatic second-half purpose towards Inter Milan within the closing secured a 1-0 victory and City’s first Champions League title on Saturday, having wrapped up the Premier League and FA Cup final month.
“Unbelievable. Difficult to put anything in words. Today, we made history,” Gundogan instructed BT Sport. “This team deserves the highest recognition and winning the Champions League elevates us to the very top of the game.
“We knew everyone was talking about the treble. The pressure was there, but this team is built to handle the pressure in the best possible way.”
Grealish, who joined City from Aston Villa for a British report 100 million kilos ($126 million) in 2021, has been one in every of City’s standout performers this season and was overcome with emotion on the closing whistle.
“This is what you work your whole life for. I’m just so happy,” Grealish stated. “I was awful today but I don’t care.
“I’ve just said to (Guardiola): ‘I want to thank you because you’ve made this happen for me. You put so much faith in me, buying me for a lot of money.’ Even last year when I was playing crap he stayed there with me and this year he’s given me that platform … He’s just a genius.”
Striker Erling Haaland has already set his sights on extra success subsequent season, warning rivals {that a} treble has not glad his urge for food for trophies after spearheading City’s assault with 52 targets this season.
“In my wildest dreams I would never think of this,” Haaland stated. “After a couple of days when this settles a bit and this feeling of winning this trophy, I will want to do it again for sure.
“We have to defend what we have achieved this season. That’s how it works. In a month everything is forgotten and we have to start again.”
City received the job accomplished with out chief playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was consoled by Haaland and his group mates when he was compelled off with a hamstring damage within the first half.
“It’s what I’ve been fighting for for many, many years,” De Bruyne instructed reporters. “It’s incredible we’ve been able to achieve that with City.
“It’s the first one in the history of the club. We’ll always be associated with the club in that way. It’s really special.”
