Man City’s 2020/21 season has been one of their most impressive in recent years. Pep Guardiola’s side have already secured their third Premier League title in four years and a fourth consecutive EFL Cup.
One of the great achievements of the 2020/21 City side is their progress in the Champions League. The elite competition has been the holy grail for the Citizens since the Abu Dhabi United Group took over at the club in 2008.
After consecutive years of elimination in the quarterfinals, City reached the Champions League final, and the current City side have the chance to etch themselves into the club’s history books as the best ever. With such an undisputable dominance of the domestic league, it’s understandable that punters are backing City on betting.co.uk to lift their first European trophy to usher in a new era of dominance from the blue side of Manchester.
Three Premier League Titles in Four Seasons
Since 2008 take over, City have won five Premier League titles. But, following Pep Guardiola’s appointment in 2016, the club has won the Premier League three times in five seasons, each secured impressively.
City’s first title win under Guardiola came in his second season in charge (2017/18), when his side won 100 points, scored over 100 goals and won 32 of their 38 matches, the highest points total any team in Premier League history. The 19-point gap between City and second-placed Man United highlighted the quality of the squad and Guardiola’s talent as a coach.
Despite walking the Premier League in 2017/18, Guardiola’s second title win was more impressive. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool mounted a serious title challenge in 2018/19, and the Reds finished second on 97 points and lost one match throughout the season – a crucial 1-0 defeat to City.
Although it was an impressive title challenge, the Reds couldn’t stop City from securing back-to-back Premier League titles.
This season, Guardiola’s side have impressed once again in the Premier League. However, the gloss of their fifth top-flight title win in 10 seasons was taken off by a poor start to the season, and a slow finish to their Premier League campaign.
City won just three of their opening eight Premier League matches. But a 19-match unbeaten run, which included 17 consecutive wins, helped the Citizens climb to the Premier League summit between November and March. However, compared to previous campaigns, the relentlessness of City has worn off later in the season. The champions have lost four of their last 10 matches in the league.
Also, any title challenge from a draw-happy United side never materialised, allowing City’s exceptional winning streak to earn them another top-flight title.
Champions League Success
Undoubtedly, City’s 2020/21 Champions League campaign has been their best ever. After elimination in the quarter-finals between 2017/18 and 2019/20, Guardiola’s side showed the ruthless streak in this season’s competition to reach the final.
City have won 11 of their 12 Champions League matches and brushed aside top-quality opposition in Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals and Paris St Germain in the semi-finals, both who City defeated 4-1 on aggregate.
The Best Ever?
Guardiola’s management of a talented squad showed throughout the season. In early April, City on track for the quadruple of the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Remaining so competitive so late in the season highlights how impressive the 2020/21 City team have been. Compared to previous seasons, with reliance on 30 plus goals from Sergio Aguero in 2017/18 and from Raheem Sterling in 2018/19, City’s effort has been based on sharing the responsibility this season.
Fringe players Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gündogan have been used effectively by Guardiola, and both are among City’s top-scorers this season with 14 and 17 goals respectively.
Guardiola’s use of squad players has worked well with emerging talents like Phil Foden and Fernan Torres, who have 15 and 13 goals respectively in all competitions this season.
There has been no other City squad with this level of depth, quality and potential in recent years. This, combined with Guardiola’s excellent squad management, has guided the Citizens to one of their most impressive all-around seasons ever.