Guardiola: 'Treble with Man City would be a dream come true'

Coach Pep Guardiola is proud that Man City is the only European club that can aim for the treble this season.

In the 36th round of the Premier League yesterday, Man City faced many difficulties but still beat home team Everton 3-0 thanks to a brace from midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and a close-range header from striker Erling Haaland. Thanks to that, they have won 11 consecutive matches in the Premier League for the third time in the last three seasons, after a series of 12 matches in January 2022 and 15 matches in March 2021.

More importantly, the win over Everton puts City four points clear of Arsenal and one game in hand. City also remain in contention for a treble, with the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on May 17 and the FA Cup final against Manchester United on June 3.

Guardiola congratulated Haaland after the 3-0 win at Goodison Park on May 14. Photo: Guardian

"It's a dream come true," Guardiola said when asked about his goal of recreating United's 1998-99 treble. "In the end, we may not win any trophies and people will say Man City is not a good club or it was a disaster. But it's an extraordinary achievement, Man City is the only club in Europe that fights on all fronts, and hopefully we can win all three trophies."

According to the Spanish coach, the Premier League title race is not over yet because Arsenal will continue to fight. But in reality, Man City will defend the title and win the third consecutive title if they beat Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the next round on May 21. At that time, the Manchester club will be seven points ahead of Arsenal with two rounds left in the season.

Gundogan had a brilliant day, scoring two goals and assisting the other for Haaland. The German midfielder was elected captain by his teammates after Fernandinho left in the summer of 2022. Guardiola praised Gundogan as a leader both in games and training, always arriving on time, able to play well in midfield as well as "sniffing" for goals when entering the penalty area, not under pressure and always showing class. The 52-year-old coach left open the possibility of extending the contract with Gundogan - whose contract expires when the transfer window opens.

Hong Duy

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