Winning the Champions League was the ultimate dream for Abu Dhabi’s Manchester City owners when they bought the club in 2008, but so far it has remained unfulfilled… this is the story of City’s 12-year odyssey
- The Manchester City owners set out the ultimate dream when they took charge
- They claimed that the Champions League was the trophy that would satisfy them
- However, over the course of their 12-year ownership, things have not been smooth sailing
Since the owners of Manchester City in Abu Dhabi bought the club in 2008, they have made their ultimate dream quite clear.
The Champions League has always been the most prestigious trophy in club football and for City it is the prize they have always referred to.
Despite their dominance in England over the last 12 years, their performances in Europe have always failed to lift the trophy at the end of the competition.
However, this year could be different as they need to play a match against Inter Milan to claim the Champions League title.
And so here’s Mail Sport’s run through Citizen’s run through Europe’s most elite league over the past 12 years.
Pep Guardiola’s side will try to end the European trophy drought
Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been chasing a Champions League title for over 12 years
2011-12
GROUP PHASE
Manager: Roberto Mancini
City’s debut with the European elite was disappointing. Aleksandar Kolarov scored their first goal in a 1-1 home draw against Napoli, but they finished third in their group behind Bayern Munich and the Italians.
2012-13
GROUP PHASE
Manager: Roberto Mancini
More disappointment even though they came in as Premier League champions. City finished bottom of their group, won by Real Madrid, by three points and Mancini was sacked at the end of the season.
2013-14
LAST 16
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Reached knockouts for the first time, but were then undone 4-1 by Barcelona. Leo Messi scored in both legs, City finished with 10 men each, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta were sent off.
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis was sent off in 2014 during the game between City and Barcelona
2014-15
LAST 16
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
History repeated itself with City once again finishing second in their group behind Bayern Munich and signing Barcelona. This time the Catalans won 3-1 on aggregate with Luis Suarez the difference.
2015-16
SEMI FINALS
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
City secured opening knockout wins against Dynamo Kyiv and PSG, but paid for a cautious approach against Real Madrid, with Fernando’s own goal giving the Spaniard a 1–0 aggregate victory.
2016-17
LAST 16
Coach: Josep Guardiola
Guardiola’s chaotic first campaign saw City beaten by Kylian Mbappé’s Monaco on away goals after the tie ended 6–6. Bernardo Silva impressed City so much that they bought him that summer.
A teenage Kylian Mbappe played for Monaco during their visit to the Etihad in 2017
2017-18
QUARTER FINAL
Coach: Josep Guardiola
The start of Guardiola’s reputation for overthinking in Europe. He changed tactics that won the league by 100 points and, with Raheem Sterling left out at Anfield, Liverpool won the first leg 3–0.
2018-19
QUARTER FINAL
Coach: Josep Guardiola
A heartbreaking exit against Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. Sterling’s stoppage-time ‘decider’ at the Etihad was ruled out by VAR, giving the Londoners victory on away goals by a score of 4-4.
2019-20
QUARTER FINAL
Coach: Josep Guardiola
In the Covid format, all ties from the quarter-finals onwards were played behind closed doors in Lisbon. City were the big favorites against Lyon, but collapsed 3-1 due to a brace from Moussa Dembélé.
Lyon striker Moussa Dembele (centre) was in fine form as his side faced Man City in 2020
2020-21
WINNING
Coach: Josep Guardiola
Guardiola had a brain freeze in the all-English final against Chelsea. For the first time in seven months there was no defensive midfielder, with Rodri and Fernandinho on the bench. They lost 1-0.
2021-22
SEMI FINALS
Coach: Josep Guardiola
No blame for the manager this time. City were dominant against Real Madrid until the Spaniards scored twice late in the return leg and Karim Benzema hit the extra-time winner to make it 6–5.