Man City would be the perfect team for UCL 'final four' & Madrid win proved it

UEFA are doing all they can to ensure this season's Champions League and Europa League tournaments draw to a natural close. There are still 12 teams remaining in Europe's premier club competition and plenty of football still to be played under the original format.

One idea that has been proposed is that the Round of 16 and quarter-final stages are completed as planned, before a 'final four' format is staged in Istanbul. That would significantly reduce the timescale of the competition, with three matches - two one-off semi-final games and the showpiece - being held over a matter of days.

Few standout teams

This year's competition is as open as it has been in many years, with many of the continent's usual heavyweights going through fallow periods. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have fallen short of their standards in recent years and while Italian champions Juventus are currently a frontrunner, there are plenty of question marks over their direction under coach Maurizio Sarri.

Liverpool - who have reached each of the last two finals - were widely backed to continue their success in the competition but their shock elimination has blown the field wide open. Possibly the most relieved club to see Jurgen Klopp's side's exit the competition will be Manchester City, who have struggled against the Reds in recent seasons.

Pep Guardiola's side were beaten 3-1 at Anfield earlier this season in the Premier League, and suffered defeat against the Reds three times in the 2017/18 campaign, including both of their quarter-final ties. They are the one side who City will be delighted are eliminated.

Guardiola desperate to break European drought

The Citizens are more aware than anyone that they have underperformed on the European stage in recent years. With two record-breaking Premier League campaigns in succession and a four league titles in eight seasons, they will be aware that their domestic dominance has not translated onto the European stage.

Their best performance in the competition came under Manuel Pellegrini, when they reached the semi-final stage in 2016. Defeats to Monaco, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in Guardiola's three campaigns at the club were hugely underwhelming with each loss exposing the flaws.

Having won the competition twice with Barcelona, Guardiola has not triumphed in the Champions League in nine seasons. From the Blaugrana's harrowing semi-final defeat to Chelsea in 2012 to falling short with Bayern Munich and not fulfilling the expectations of City, the pressure is on Guardiola to deliver to re-establish his credentials as the greatest tactician in world football.

City credentials

There is little doubt that this year is a unique opportunity for Guardiola and City to enjoy a historic triumph in the competition. With Liverpool gone and no expectation on any league game, all efforts can be focused on delivering European glory.

Aside from Bayern Munich, there does not appear to be any side who possesses the talent, cohesion, belief and winning mentality that has been evident at City over the years. Once the outsiders, the blue half of Manchester are now established in the Champions League knockout stages while the upstarts of RB Leipzig and Atalanta - both in the knockout stages for the first time in their histories - are making serious inroads.

Like City, Paris Saint-Germain have consistently crumbled under the expectation and intensity of this stage, while Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Chelsea are significantly off the pace domestically. This is City's best opportunity yet.

Madrid milestone

This was highlighted by Guardiola's team triumphing at Real Madrid. It was not just the result itself but the manner of the outcome. Tactically adapting their game to contain rather than exploit and, crucially, coming from behind to win.

It would have been easy, when Isco opened the scoring for an unimpressive Madrid on the hour mark, for the visitors to start feeling sorry for themselves and to let history repeat itself. An eight-minute spell saw to vital away goals scored, the expulsion of Sergio Ramos and the total turnaround of the tie.

The performance combined both the ability and maturity required to truly succeed on the European stage - displaying tactical flexibility and a winning mentality which has been absent in recent seasons. Triumphing through adversity - recovering from the blow of losing central defender Aymeric Laporte in the opening half - has eluded City for many years but appears to now be established.

A hugely difficult season both on and off the pitch for the club now appears increasingly probable to provide their defining triumph.