🏆 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲! Pep Guardiola has overtaken Alex Ferguson in most UCL wins ranking

All-time Champions League wins as of today:

1️⃣ 109 — Carlo Ancelotti 🇮🇹

2️⃣ 𝟏𝟎𝟑 — 𝐏𝐞𝐩 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚 🇪🇸

3️⃣ 102 — Sir Alex Ferguson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

4️⃣ 82 — Arsene Wenger 🇫🇷

5️⃣ 77 — José Mourinho 🇵🇹

…who’s the 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞?

Read  more

Player ratings: Manchester City’s best and the rest

Manchester City title against RB Leipzig

Guardiola’s tactical prowess

As the floodlights shone over the Red Bull Arena, Manchester City displayed a dizzying mix of precision and control. The reigning European champion set the pace early, taking the lion’s share of the ball with 88% possession in the first ten minutes.

The moments that shone

The purpose of the city was clear from the beginning. Lewis, whose presence on the court seems to grow with each game, started the threat. However, young Phil Foden, the heartbeat of this city, lit up the arena as he turned in Lewis’ immaculate cross and sent it skyward to nestle into the top corner. Despite City’s ban, the Bundesliga players made a statement after the break. Lois Openda’s fine finish breathed life into Leipzig’s hopes and lifted them up. City’s tales took a turn when Julian Alvarez’s mesmerizing curler restored the English giants’ supremacy.

As if playing ancient symphonies, Jeremy Doku added the final notes to score City’s third, underscoring their European ambitions.

Durability of champions

Each story is about triumph and turbulence. Leipzig’s strength disrupted City’s possession at times, especially in the absence of their main playmaker, Dani Olmo. Leipzig’s brief revival after half-time, when Openda capitalized on Yussuf Poulsen’s slick pass, briefly threatened to turn the tide.

But in Guardiola’s world, adversity breeds greatness. Foden remained the main keeper, his brilliance evident in the way he constantly opened up Leipzig’s defence. The climax was inevitable and Guardiola’s masterstrokes from the bench, especially Alvarez and Doku, showed why Manchester City are respected in European circles. Assessment of the Masters

Ederson (6/10) – Mostly untested but caught once.

Kyle Walker (7/10) – His speed stifled Leipzig’s attacks and established himself as a defensive pivot.

Manuel Akanji (7/10) – Akanji’s versatility was evident in the midfield role. Ruben Dias and Josko Guardiol (6/10 and 7/10) – The duo held firm, with Guardiol shining against his former teammates.

Rodri and Rico Lewis (7/10 and 8/10) – The engine of City’s midfield, young Lewis has been praised for his hard work and creativity. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden (7/10 and 8/10) – Silva’s dance on the right blended perfectly with Foden’s central magic.

Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland (5/10 each) – a night where they overshadowed the brilliance of their teammates.

From the bench: Doku (8/10) and Alvarez (8/10) – Or the trumps of City. Their late intervention changed the dynamics of the game.

Manager Pep Guardiola (8/10) – His mid-match adjustments reinforced City’s intentions, a testament to his tactical intelligence. Man of the Match: Julian Alvarez, Manchester City. His footprints on the game were undeniable, a game changer in every way.

With Manchester City, RB Leipzig and the Champions League thrown together, this storied encounter wasn’t just a game, it was a spectacle of footballing art. As the Champions League journey progresses, both teams have lessons to learn and laurels to build on.