In a recent press interview, Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City did nothing special by winning the Champions League title only once. Last season, Manchester City became the second English team in history to win the treble (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League). However, Guardiola has chosen to treat the achievements of the "citizens" with modesty:
"This time it will be easier (winning the Champions League). The hardest to win is always the first. Winning the Champions League for our club is extraordinary, but put into perspective, how many teams have won the Champions League once? A lot. We haven't done anything special with just one, but we're very proud."
Guardiola was asked by reporters if he had watched last year's final against Inter again. The Spaniard replied:
"I haven't seen the game, at all. I had the feeling that Inter was a strong team. They tried it. It was a hard fought game, and they showed how strong they are, and they are candidates to win it again."
Meanwhile, the defender of the English national team, Kyle Walker, also seems to be focused on the challenges that City has ahead. The Englishman commented:
"What we have achieved is already in the past, now it is a new season. The coach drew us a diagram where we were at the beginning of a mountain and we have to climb it. Doing that again is what differentiates the good teams from the great ones.”
And in fact, City started the new season in the Champions League quite well, with an expected victory over FK Crvena Zvezda with the result 3-1. Despite the fact that the "citizens" conceded the first goal, even at a disadvantage it seemed that the victory was just a matter of time. The scorers for City were Alvarez with a double and Rodri.