Manchester City overcame PSG to take their place in the 2021 Champions League final but how many other finals have they appeared in?
It was a fascinating semi-final but Manchester City came out on top over the two legs. The first match in Paris was the clichéd game of two halves, the home side dominating early before a flip later on, and then at the Etihad the Premier League champions-elect got the job done in style, despite the visitors having their share of chances.
Pep Guardiola is into his third UCL final - having won the other two - but what about his latest club?
City's European Cup and UCL history
Many younger football fans will automatically associate the name of Manchester City with the Champions League, but the sky-blue side of Manchester progressing to the latter stage of European football's premium competition is a recent phenomenon.
Before the 2011/12 season, Manchester City had only participated once in UEFA's top club competition once, that was back in the 1968/69 season after their previous English First Division win the previous season. Their European adventure was a brief one however with a first round elimination at the hands of Turkish champions Feberbahce on an 2-1 aggregate scoreline. City did bag the 1970 Cup Winners Cup as Joe Mercer's side overcame Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze as City eventually secured their first, and to date only European trophy in a 3-1 play-off match.
Since the 2011/12 season, City have never failed to not qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and despite domestic dominance in the Premier League, only in the 2015/16 season did the Sky-blues get close to major European glory in reaching the semi-final of the competition.
Managed by current Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini at the time, City faced Real Madrid in the two legged semi-final with a tense 0-0 in Manchester in the first leg.
A packed Bernabéu witnessed a 1-0 home win for Real Madrid with a Fernando o.g in the 20th minute deciding the tie in a game where City showed limited attacking ambition with a certain Noel Gallagher watching on from the VIP area of the ground.
PSG unable to avenge 2019 final defeat
A 1-0 win over Rapid Vienna in the 1995/96 European Cup Winners Cup is PSG's only taste of European glory (if you excuse the 2001 InterToto win) and since their acquisition by (Qatar Sports Investments) QSI in the summer of 2011, winning European football's Champions League has become something of an obsession for all at the Parisian club.
Last season's pandemic hit competition was as close as the Ligue 1 side got. In the one off games staged in Lisbon, PSG overcame plucky Atalanta and saw off Leipzig in the semi-final with a convincing 3-0 win to set up a final against Bayern Munich.
A solitary Kingsley Coman goal for the Bundesliga side just before the hour mark was enough to see Bayern win the title and break Parisian hearts.
PSG had a reputation of being chokers after memorable meltdowns in recent years, and two red cards in the two legs against City suggest it is a tag they're going to take a while to shake off.
Nusbioptu
773
LFC11YNWA
766
Congratulations Man city on reaching champion league final for the 1st time ever
RogerCule
684
The Silent Hero of Man City like every time.... Riyad Mahrez, A Wonderful Brace scored by him, A Player to show up in Big Stages, Time to give him the credit he deserves. Congratulations But yes, no doubt Ruben Dias was the Wall of Citizens like always.
DonDyballa
634
the best defender in the world
thank u diaz if not him we.......
Melody77777
569
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Ruben Dias, he blocked everything in his way today
Nwokeoma34
563
just one UCL with this man
Chancelen Kockman
522
☺☺all the luck to city
Harsh9
507
Remember Psg celebrated Like they won the finals.. after winning quarters 😭😭
21Legacy
492
If you didn't catch the match, just see this pic👇
alextiger
466
Foden folded Paris And Dias wasn't Bias to Mbappe only. Icardi was folded like a card .
epjo
397
MAHREZ man of the match, rated 9.9 he playes like the ALIEN from MARS
Ropdklpuz
391
barsa fans rightnow
Broke_jr
391
Pep
juddeikpy
380
hazard anak pak haron.
ANJANGANG14
335
Man City lifting the UCL this year
juddeikpy
331
kt mane ni bongok
rislan075
320
i remember Manchester city buy mehrez from lanchester most of fans said he will be Manchester city bench warmer now every body can understand who is mehrez
ishti
300
Finally, we overcame the Eiffel tower
EmeraldJ
285
I think its their first Champions League final but admit they have been good, terrifying, prolific, amazing and clinical. I love the way they've progressed to this point... City, from your neighbour, I wish you the best
JuniasNehale
266
All football is absolutely against city and just funny news about man city every time. Look at R. Dias performance 73😂😂😂
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Now I see some thing is wrong with all football
Beltrano
258
Respect to this City team they are
Mike0607
182
City is the darkest cloud 🌧 for the stars. Normally stars ⭐️ shine ✨ brighter when its the darkest. City changed the concept and was so dark that no one else could shine ✨ but they themselves. For Example: Neymar (was he on the pitch?). Haaland, Mabape (I appreciate his smartness. He realised it is better to take help of injury and avoid getting humiliated by City.) Win or loose, Love to watch City play. Great team 💙
Nattygang
162
I am 100% confident Mendy will win the champions league😀😀
Neymarjuniordasilva
10
the best defender in the world
thank u diaz if not him we.......
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ramos hasn’t retired yet 😂
teeekay
9
barsa fans rightnow
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we're with you bro we hate each other in Spain but outside,we're mates Forca Madrid ooh sorry HALA MADRID you're going to win this one....