Have Manchester City won the Champions League?

When Pep Guardiola was hired by Manchester City in 2016, many expected the two-time Champions League winning manager to guide the Citizens to the promised land.

Domestic supremacy has ensued under Guardiola’s watch, and while City have long been regarded as the best team in Europe, glory on the continental stage has continued to elude them.

Guardiola’s stint, as majestic as it’s been, will not be complete until he guides City to the Champions League crown.

The club’s history with Europe’s premier club competition isn’t particularly extensive, but it’s a painful one nonetheless.

Contrary to popular belief, Man City’s first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition didn’t arrive in their maiden Premier League title-winning season of 2011/12 under Roberto Mancini.

Their first appearance came way back when during the 1968/69 season when only the winners of Europe’s major leagues qualified for the European Cup. City came out of nowhere to win Division 1 in 1967/68 under Joe Mercer, but they were eliminated in the first round of the European Cup a season later by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Man City have long suffered in the Champions League, and no defeat has hit deeper than the 2021 final in Porto. Guardiola’s side overcame Borussia Dortmund and a superstar-laden PSG side to advance into the club’s second-ever European final where they faced domestic rivals Chelsea.

Many expected this to be City’s crowning glory under Guardiola, but they were completely thwarted by Thomas Tuchel’s Blues. Guardiola’s decision to not start a recognised holding midfielder was strange and it proved costly as Chelsea scythed through City to score the game’s only goal just before half-time.

City followed up their defeat in Porto by reaching the semi-finals last season, but they succumbed to Real Madrid’s miraculous aura in the closing stages of the second leg after leading the tie for so long.

That was the second time the Citizens have reached the last four before being beaten by Los Blancos. Manuel Pellegrini took the Sky Blues to the semis in 2015/16 before they were edged out over two legs by the eventual champions.