As far as European soccer clubs are concerned, the UEFA Champions League title is undoubtedly the most coveted prize. Manchester City was missing that last piece of the puzzle until 2023. Last year, Pep Guardiola propelled the Sky Blues to their first UCL title. But was that the sweetest of all Man City victories in 2023? Quite surprisingly, it seems not. Shortly before facing Inter Milan in the final, Man City had ousted Manchester United in the FA Cup final. That win against their ‘biggest rival,’ according to Guardiola, helped the team ‘arrive in a different mood‘ to Turkey.

The frenzy rose through the roof in that FA Cup Final. Now, Pep Guardiola has recalled City’s famous win in the Manchester derby and how it was more special than anything for him and the City fans.

Pep Guardiola explains the sentiment of that 2-1 derby win that preceded their treble

Manchester City is now lacing up for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield. In light of the tournament, an interviewer asked Pep Guardiola about their last FA Cup win against Manchester United. “We were two games away to do the treble. So, and of course, United is the biggest rival of City. And it is special for our fans,” said Guardiola. “The second half in the final was really good. And that helped us to arrive in a different mood, in better mood to the final in Istanbul against Inter. Against United, yeah, it was a little, little more special. We’ve to admit it. For our fans, maybe more special.”

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However, the Spanish boss added that he had put emotions to bed before facing Erik ten Hag and Co. Neither did he try to understand what expectations the City fans had. Instead, he did what he had to do and ultimately put a smile on all the fan’s faces. Soon, the treble-winning boss elaborated it is ‘normal‘ for fans to deem such derbies more important than any other match.

Such games are ‘necessary’ in the sport, claimed Guardiola

Pep Guardiola joked he snubbed many fans because they didn’t invite him to a pub to have a beer. However, he understands how intense the fan sentiment is with regard to classic rivalries like the Manchester Derby. “There’s something special. That’s why it is nice. Everton-Liverpool or Liverpool- United. These types of games are special, it’s normal. That is what is necessary in our sport,” the City manager said.

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Continental clashes at the UCL indeed have all the allure and attract the world’s eyeballs. But an Inter Milan and Man City match is not the same as a City-United rivalry. Outside the UCL final clash, there is no known rivalry between Milan and Manchester. But the two Manchester clubs started to rival each other ever since its founding.

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