Manchester City has established itself as one of the most dominant and successful teams in England and Europe in the past decade, winning five Premier League titles, six Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and three Community Shields since 2011. However, there is one trophy that has eluded them so far: the UEFA Champions League.
The Champions League is the most prestigious and coveted club competition in the world, featuring the best teams and players from across the continent. It is also the ultimate test of a team’s quality, consistency, and mentality, as they have to overcome various challenges and opponents in different stages and formats.
Manchester City has been trying to win the Champions League since they first qualified for it in 2011, following their takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008. However, they have faced several obstacles and disappointments along the way, as they have struggled to match their domestic dominance with European glory.
City’s first two attempts ended in the group stage, as they were drawn into tough groups with teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Napoli. They then reached the round of 16 for two consecutive seasons, only to be knocked out by Barcelona on both occasions.
In 2016, under Manuel Pellegrini, City made their first breakthrough by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history. They beat Dynamo Kyiv and Paris Saint-Germain in the previous rounds but lost 1-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid, who went on to win the trophy.
In 2017, under Pep Guardiola, City was expected to go further, but they suffered a shock exit in the round of 16 at the hands of Monaco, who won on away goals after a thrilling 6-6 aggregate draw. The following season, they were eliminated by Liverpool in the quarter-finals, losing 5-1 on aggregate to their Premier League rivals.
After a dramatic 4-4 aggregate draw, City came agonizingly close to making the semi-finals once more in 2019, but Tottenham Hotspur denied them on away goals. Raheem Sterling thought he had scored a late winner for City, but VAR disallowed it due to offside.
In 2020, City were favorites to win the Champions League for the first time, as they had beaten Real Madrid in the round of 16 before the competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they were stunned by Lyon in the quarter-finals, losing 3-1 in a single-leg tie in Lisbon.
Last season, City made it to the Champions League final for the first time in their history. They topped Group C, which also comprised Porto, Olympiacos, and Marseille, before getting past Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stages. They faced Chelsea in the final in Porto but lost 1-0 to a goal from Kai Havertz.
This season, City is once again among the favorites to win the Champions League. They have qualified for the quarter-finals after thrashing RB Leipzig 8-1 on aggregate in the last 16. They will face Bayern Munich in a mouth-watering clash of European titans.
City has shown that they have the quality, depth, and experience to compete with any team in Europe. They have also shown that they have learned from their past mistakes and failures. They have improved their defense, midfield, and attack under Guardiola’s guidance. They have also developed a winning mentality and resilience that has helped them overcome adversity and pressure.
However, City also knows that winning the Champions League is not easy or guaranteed. They know that they have to face tough opponents who are also hungry for success. They know that they have to perform at their best in every game and every moment. They know that they have to deal with high expectations and scrutiny from fans and the media.
City has been chasing its dream of winning the Champions League for over a decade. They have come close several times and have fallen short several times. They have experienced joy and pain, hope and despair, pride and regret.
Is Ederson getting too comfortable as number one for Manchester City?
Ederson is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a key player for Manchester City since joining them from Benfica in 2017. The Brazilian has won three Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups, one FA Cup, and two Community Shields with City, as well as breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest drop kick and winning the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in 2019/20.
Ederson is known for his excellent reflexes, agility, and command of the penalty area, as well as his exceptional distribution, technique, and control with his feet. He is a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s style of play, which requires the goalkeeper to be involved in the build-up and play out from the back. He is also a leader on and off the pitch and has earned 19 caps for Brazil.
However, despite his impressive achievements and abilities, Ederson is not immune to criticism or competition. Some have questioned his decision-making, concentration, and consistency at times, especially when he makes costly errors or concedes avoidable goals. He has also faced challenges from other goalkeepers at City and Brazil, who are eager to take his place.
At City, Ederson’s main rival is Zack Steffen, the American international who joined Columbus Crew in 2019. Steffen has been given opportunities to play in cup competitions and some league games when Ederson was injured or rested. He has shown his quality and potential, making some important saves and contributing to City’s success. He has also expressed his ambition to become City’s number one in the future.
In Brazil, Ederson’s main competitor is Alisson Becker, the Liverpool goalkeeper who is also regarded as one of the best in the world. Alisson has been Brazil’s first choice since 2016 and has helped them win the Copa America in 2019 and reach the final in 2021. He has also won the Premier League, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool. He is a more experienced and established goalkeeper than Ederson and has a slight edge over him in terms of statistics and trophies.
Therefore, Ederson cannot afford to get too comfortable or complacent as number one for Manchester City. He has to keep working hard, improving his game, and performing at a high level. He has to prove himself every week, every season, and every tournament. He has to fend off the challenge from Steffen at City and Alisson at Brazil. He has to maintain his hunger, motivation, and ambition.
Ederson is a fantastic goalkeeper who has achieved a lot with Manchester City and Brazil. But he still has more to offer and more to win. He still has room for improvement and growth. He still has rivals and critics to silence. He still has goals and dreams to pursue. Ederson is not getting too comfortable as number one for Manchester City. He is getting ready for more challenges and more glory.
City has a golden chance to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. They have a squad full of world-class players, led by a visionary manager. They have a style of play that is attractive, effective, and dominant. They have a hunger for success that is unmatched, unrelenting, and unstoppable. But they also need your support, your passion, and your voice. They need you to cheer them on, inspire them, and celebrate with them. They need you to be part of their journey, story, and glory.
Don’t wait any longer. Grab your Man City tickets now and join City in pursuit of an elusive first Champions League title. Be there when Man City makes their dreams come true.