Manchester City have become only the second ever English team to complete the Treble after winning the Champions League for the first time. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand called the City players “immortal”, while ex-England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate said manager Pep Guardiola is “the greatest”. The Citizens defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final, having already beaten rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup and lifted the Premier League title with three games to spare.
City have dominated domestically over the past decade, winning the Premier League in five of the last six seasons. In Europe, though, they have suffered agonising knockout defeats, losing to Lyon, Tottenham and Real Madrid over the past five years. They reached the final two years ago, only to lose 1-0 to Chelsea. This season, thanks to Rodri’s 68th-minute winner, they rule Europe.
Former City defender Joleon Lescott said of their victory: “They will become iconic. This feels different to anything, this feels special for this club.” City’s victory in Istanbul sealed their first European trophy since lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup 53 years ago.
Pep Guardiola becomes the first manager to win the Treble with an English club since Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999. He is also the first manager to win two trebles, having achieved the feat with Barcelona 14 years ago.
In the closing stages of the match, keeper Ederson kept out Romelu Lukaku’s header from inside the six-yard box. BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher was full of praise for Brazilian stopper Ederson, who also kept out a goal-bound Gosens header in the final seconds. He said: “The two saves that Edersen made will never ever be forgotten. One of the most iconic saves in Champions League history.”