Man City’s John Stones reveals he spoke their Champions League victory into existence by focusing on ‘winning and not the occasion’ ahead of the final… to avoid repeating his routine from their 2021 defeat by Chelsea

John Stones has opened up on changing his mindset before last month’s Champions League final as Manchester City finally conquered Europe.

The 29-year-old feared going through the same routine as the week building up to the 2021 showpiece, when City lost against Chelsea.

Stones, who admitted the enormity of the Treble has not yet sunk in, revealed he visualised emerging victorious over Inter instead of allowing various scenarios to race through his mind.

‘I tried to approach it differently from the previous time,’ he said. ‘I wanted to make it different, I wanted to be calmer.

‘I wanted to be focused about winning and not the occasion, not trying to think about too much from the outside, like “What if this or that”.

Pep Guardiola’s side were not at the best in the final, but a Rodri goal was enough to see them past Inter Milan

‘I wanted to go in with a winning mentality and knowing that we were going to win that game, not arrogantly, I think that’s speaking it into existence almost and it worked! Honestly you’ll hear it a lot but it’s a dream come true, I can’t describe the feeling, I can’t put it into words.’

City froze on the biggest stage two years ago and were not at their best against Inter either, Rodri’s goal enough to secure the trophy they had been missing. That the experience was not new for the majority of the squad appeared to have helped them inch over the line.

‘When you’ve got those few days beforehand you’re constantly thinking, “how are we going to do this?”, so I literally switched off after training and didn’t think about it,’ Stones added.

‘And then gave everything towards it when I was in training. I just switched off and left the noise, because your friends and family are asking, “how is it, how’s everything going?” It’s small switches like that that helped me focus on the day and what was in front of me.’

The England international, who scored in City’s first friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos, was spotted with Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta just before he linked back up with Guardiola’s squad. The pair coincidentally go to the same gym near their holiday homes.

‘I walked in and he was on the treadmill, so it was a pleasant surprise,’ Stones said. ‘I said, “Morning” and he was in there with his son and we ended up all having a picture. I didn’t want to ask him, but his son asked for a picture and I thought I had to seize this opportunity and ask him for one.

‘I was a bit surprised and shocked that he was in there but what a lovely man, a legend of the game. Honestly it was a pleasure, and absolute pleasure to speak to him.’

John Stones has linked up with Man City for their pre-season tour and found the net in a 5-3 victory over Yokohama on Sunday

The 29-year-old recently ran into Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta at a gym near their respective holiday homes