LONDON – The wide acceptance is that the Champions League and a treble are headed to Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, that Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium stages little but a coronation.
At least Guardiola, who wears worry on that lined forehead, a bag of nerves even when City are strolling to a regulation win, will be taking nothing for granted. His long, sleepless weeks of preparation for the biggest matches are legendary, and the Champions League has often provided the scene for his greatest triumphs, across his spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now City.
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you