‘Dream come true’ – Guardiola hails Manchester City’s treble pursuit

PREMIER LEAGUE ‘Dream come true’ – Guardiola hails Manchester City’s treble pursuit

Kiplagat Sang 22:00 - 14.05.2023

The Citizens are within three points of a third successive Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola has described Manchester City’s chase for a treble as a dream come true and an extraordinary achievement.

City, who are in three competitions, took a giant step towards defending the league with a 3-0 away win at Everton on Sunday.

The Citizens will face Manchester United on June 3 for the FA Cup final and are up against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at Santiago Bernabeu.

"It is a dream come true, honestly," Guardiola said, as quoted by The Guardian. "I know we don’t get trophies, but it is a dream come true being here, the only team in Europe fighting for all the competitions.

"The Premier League is still not over. The Premier League never ends; we know that with Liverpool, and now I am pretty sure Arsenal is going to win the two games they have in hand. Now we have a semi-final with our people to try to reach the final of the Champions League. It is an extraordinary achievement, and hopefully, we finish it off."

At Goodison Park, Ilkay Gundogan starred as he scored twice and assisted Erling Haaland in scoring the second.

"He shows, again and again, his quality, his importance, and his commitment to all of us at the club. He doesn’t talk much [as a captain], but when he talks, everyone listens," Guardiola said of Gundogan, who scored twice for the second Premier League game in succession.

"That is the power of a leader. He shows leadership in every training session – arriving on time, living the job 24 hours a day, and playing like he’s playing now.

"He is a guy who plays close to the box and has an incredible sense of the goal. But he can also play holding midfield with no problem. He is a guy who handles the pressure really, really well."

At the end of the season, the German is out of contract, and Guardiola revealed he has asked the club’s bosses to keep the captain.

"Yes [I have told them], I talk about many things with the club. Nobody knows what is going to happen. Maybe he stays. Hopefully," said the Spaniard.

Gundogan has been linked with a move to Barcelona.