Triumph in Istanbul: Manchester City's crowning European moment

Manchester City fans had been starved of European success since 1970 where the Blues won the European Cup Winners’ Cup. A history making 2022/23 campaign saw a return of European glory, but this time in the form of the UEFA Champions League.

We take a look back at Man City's memorable route to European glory...

Group Stage

Sevilla 0-4 Manchester City
Manchester City 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City 5-0 Copenhagen
Copenhagen 0-0 Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 3-1 Sevilla

Manchester City were handed a tough UEFA Champions League draw which would see them take on Spanish outfit Sevilla in their first tie.

Wins in Manchester City’s opening three group games saw the Blues move to within touching distance of the round of 16.

Pep Guardiola’s side scored 11 goals in this time, with Erling Haaland inevitably scoring five of those.

The Citizens took their foot off the gas in the following two games, resulting in goalless draws away in Denmark against Copenhagen and away in Germany against Borussia Dortmund.

With the job already done, Man City were able to rotate in their last group game, hosting Sevilla. Despite making many changes, the Blues emerged 3-1 winners, with Man City prospect Rico Lewis scoring on his first UEFA Champions League start.

Knockout Phase

Round of 16

First leg – RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City
Second leg – Manchester City 7-0 RB Leipzig
(8-1 aggregate score)

After facing Dortmund in the group stage, they now faced a different German test in the form of RB Leipzig.

A clinical Mahrez finish to the keeper’s left took Man City into the lead in the 27th minute and put the Blues in a good position heading into the second half.

However, the lead could only be held until the 70th minute, where current Manchester City player Josko Gvardiol headed Leipzig back into the game.

A late Man City penalty appeal was waved away by the referee, and the Blues would be heading back to Manchester with the tie level at 1-1.

The second leg however, was a completely different story.

Haaland, who had previous experience of scoring against the German side whilst representing Borussia Dortmund, made Janis Blaswich’s night a misery, as he saw the Norwegian net five goals past him.

Haaland became the third person to score five in a UEFA Champions League game, following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano.

Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne were also amongst the scoresheet, resulting in a 7-0 win on the night for Man City and an 8-1 win on aggregate.

Quarter-finals

First leg - Manchester City 3-0 Bayern Munich
Second leg – Bayern Munich 1-1 Manchester City
(4-1 aggregate score)

After overcoming two German sides, Man City were now assigned the task of overcoming the German giants of Bayern Munich.

This was expected to be the greatest task yet, with Bayern Munich bidding to become seven time European Cup/UEFA Champions League winners.

However, the Citizens put an end to any early nerves that may have been present, with Rodri finding the net through a glorious left-footed strike into the top left corner.

Man City knew that another goal was needed to feel comfortable going into the second leg.

The Blues went one further and grabbed two goals in the space of six minutes, coming from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland. A 3-0 lead going into the second leg.

Another trip to Germany, and Man City were level, with the score 0-0 heading into the break. Only a catastrophic second half would prevent City from reaching the semi-finals, but given their track record in Europe, it was not impossible.

Much to the delight of Guardiola and the travelling Man City supporters, goal machine Erling Haaland put his side ahead on the night and out of reach for Bayern Munich.

Joshua Kimmich got a late goal back for Bayern Munich, which proved only to be a consolation.

Man City were through to the semi-finals and one step closer to Istanbul.

Semi-finals

First leg – Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City
Second leg – Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid
(5-1 aggregate score)

With the Blues just two games away from their second ever UEFA Champions League final, the toughest opponent yet awaited for them at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Man City arrived in Spain to take on the colossal Real Madrid.

It took until the 36th minute until either side made the breakthrough. Vinicius Junior found space on the edge of the Man City box and fired home a stunning effort. Madrid were ahead.

Just when you thought the quality of goal in the game could not be improved, Kevin De Bruyne rifled a first time effort into the bottom left corner, stunning the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

An even affair was reflected by a 1-1 scoreline, with Man City likely to be the happier of the two sides, with the second leg taking place in Manchester.

The City of Manchester Stadium was rocking for what was about to be one of the club’s most historic European nights.

Bernardo Silva was at the double for the Blues, netting a 14 minute brace, giving his side a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Real Madrid had a mountain to climb, and seemingly didn’t have the right equipment to climb it.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were knocking on the door, but not hard enough. Manuel Akanji headed Man City’s third goal of the night in, solidifying a special night for the English champions.

To rub salt into the wound, Julian Alvarez netted the fourth of the night.

Istanbul awaited.

Final

Manchester City 1-0 Inter Milan

The scene was set as Man City had the chance to make history by winning their first ever treble, consisting of a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a UEFA Champions League.

The affair was evenly matched in the first half, with neither side taking too many risks.

The second half got underway and it didn’t take too long for Rodri to have his say. After a hugely significant goal against Bayern Munich, the Spaniard scored what could be the biggest goal of his career.

Onana was helpless, while the Man City fans were ecstatic. They were just 22 minutes away from European glory.

Inter piled on the pressure, with Belgian international Romelu Lukaku handed ample opportunities to level the contest.

Ederson did not let the pressure of the occasion get to him, making countless crucial saves to prevent the game from entering extra-time.

The final whistle blew, pandemonium in the Man City end. Despair in the Inter end.

History was made, at last, Man City were European champions.

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