Manchester City are currently in the running not just for the Premier League title, not just for FA Cup glory, but for a chance at a four-fold of trophies. In addition to the league and the FA Cup, the Citizens are headed to the final of the League Cup, where they will face Sunderland in February. Finally, City have made it to the knockout phase of the Champions League, making it possible that they could claim a quadruple this season.
The next round of the Champions League brings Barcelona. It will be a tough game, acknowledges Manuel Pellegrini, but the Manchester City boss does not seem anxious. His side, he believes, are on their way to becoming one of Europe’s elite clubs.
“The only way to continue improving is to win titles. If you win titles it’s because you do the right things. All the big teams have good players also. The way we are working, maybe given time we are going to be a very strong team in Europe,” said Pellegrini. The manager remains grounded, however, acknowledging his side still needs improvement, but that they were bolstered by the final match of the group stages, when they beat Bayern Munich in Germany.
Indeed it is difficult to imagine Manchester City not lifting a trophy this season. Currently one point behind league leaders Arsenal, the Blues have gone undefeated since November 10, notching twenty wins and just two draws in that span. They’ve scored 106 goals already, in all competitions. The League Cup final against relegation-threatened Sunderland should be simple enough, as should Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Championship side Watford.
While City would certainly like to boast of another Premier League title, it’s the Champions League that presents the biggest challenge. Barcelona are no longer undefeateable, but they’ve still got a big bite. And should Manchester City meet Bayern once more, Pep Guardiola won’t make it as easy as it was in the previous match.
A good showing in Europe, a couple of domestic titles...no, it’s not tough to imagine that Manchester City could come out of this season considered as one of the top clubs in the world.
