Winning the Champions League was the ultimate dream for Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners when they bought the club in 2008 but until now it has remained unfulfilled… the story of City’s 12-year odyssey
- Manchester City’s owners set out the ultimate dream when they took charge
- They claimed the Champions League was the trophy that would satisfy them
- However, over the course of their 12-year ownership, it’s not been plainsailing
Since Manchester City‘s Abu Dhabi owners bought the club in 2008, they’ve made their ultimate dream rather clear.
The Champions League has always been the most presitigious trophy in club football and for City, it’s the one that’s always alluded them.
Despite their dominance in England across the last 12 years, their performances in Europe have always failed to see them lift the trophy at the end of the competition.
However, this year, things could be different as they’re presented with a match-up against Inter Milan to claim the Champions League title.
And so, here, Mail Sport runs through the Citizen’s run through Europe’s most elite competition across the last 12 years.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to put an end to their European trophy drought
Manchester City’s owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been on the hunt for a Champions League title for over 12 years
2011-12
GROUP STAGE
Manager: Roberto Mancini
City’s debut among Europe’s elite fell flat. 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 STAGE
Manager: Roberto Mancini
More disappointment even though they entered as Premier League champions. City finished bottom of their group, won by Real Madrid, with 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 then undone 4-1 on aggregate by Barcelona. Leo Messi scored in both legs as City finished with 10 men each time, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta sent off.
Argentinian defender Martin Demichelis was sent off in City’s clash with Barcelona in 2014
2014-15
LAST 16
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
History repeated itself with City finishing second in their group again behind Bayern Munich and drawing Barcelona. This time the Catalans won 3-1 on aggregate with Luis Suarez the difference.
2015-16
SEMI-FINAL
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
City enjoyed first 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
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola’s chaotic first campaign saw City beaten by Kylian Mbappe’s Monaco on away goals after the tie finished 6-6. Bernardo Silva impressed City so much, they bought him that summer.
A teenage Kylian Mbappe starred for Monaco in their visit to the Etihad in 2017
2017-18
QUARTER-FINAL
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The start of Guardiola’s reputation for overthinking in Europe. He changed the tactics that won the league with 100 points and, with Raheem Sterling left out at Anfield, Liverpool won the first leg 3-0.
2018-19
QUARTER-FINAL
Manager: Pep Guardiola
A heartbreaking exit against Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. Sterling’s injury-time ‘decider’ at the Etihad was ruled out by VAR, giving the Londoners victory on away goals with scores level at 4-4.
2019-20
QUARTER-FINAL
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The Covid format saw all ties from the quarter-finals onwards played behind closed doors in Lisbon. City were hot favourites against Lyon but collapsed 3-1 with a brace from Moussa Dembele.
Lyon forward Moussa Dembele (middle) was in fine form when his side faced Man City in 2020
2020-21
RUNNERS-UP
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola had a brainfreeze in the all-English final against Chelsea. For the first time in seven months there was no holding midfielder, with Rodri and Fernandinho benched. They lost 1-0.
2021-22
SEMI-FINAL
Manager: Pep Guardiola
This time no blame for the manager. City were dominant against Real Madrid until the Spaniards scored twice late on in the second leg and Karim Benzema hit the extra-time winner to make it 6-5.
