18 May 2023 , 08:41
964
0
Jamie Carragher has warned Man City they need to target domination in Europe after winning through to this season's Champions League final.
On what was depicted as a defining night in the Pep Guardiola era, City were at their sublime best to blow away Real Madrid at the Etihad on Tuesday. With the teams locked at 1-1 after the first leg in the Bernabeu, two goals from Bernardo Silva inspired the hosts to a 4-0 win, with an Eder Militao own goals and late Julian Alvarez strike completing the rout.
It now leaves City on the brink of an historic treble, with just one win needed from their final three league games to retain the Premier League title, and an FA Cup final with Man United on June 3 preceding a date with destiny against Inter Milan in Istanbul a week later. And Carragher has backed the English side to achieve the European success this season that many believe will cement Guardiola's legacy.
"There's only one English team that's dominated Europe and that's Liverpool in the late 70s and early 80s," the former Liverpool defender said on CBS Sport Golazo. "Man City are about to win a third league title on the trot, but nobody's ever done four, so they're up there with the absolute best.
"Manchester United won three in a row a couple of times, but they never dominated Europe - they won a Champions League, and City have still got to win the Champions League, but when you took at how good they could become, they should be looking at getting that first Champions League in a few weeks."
Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer
However, Carragher, who himself famously won European's top prize in Istanbul back in 2005, also argued it won't be enough for Guardiola to only lift the Champions League once during his stint at City. The 45-year-old believes the resources at the club's disposal means more should be demanded.
Julian Alvarez made it four as Man City booked a date with destiny on Wednesday (Getty Images)Can anything stop Man City winning the treble this season? Let us know in the comments below!
"But for the quality they have in terms of the manager, on the pitch and their finances - they can buy who they want virtually - they've got to be looking at trying to dominate Europe," he added.
Guardiola has previously conquered Europe twice at Barcelona, beating Man United in finals back in 2009 and 2011. But in his seventh season in charge at the Etihad, the Spaniard has previously admitted he will be judged by whether he can bring the trophy to City for the first time in their history.
His side will go in as overwhelming favourites against a team currently third in Serie A. The Nerazzurri qualified themselves courtesy of a 3-0 aggregate win over fierce local rivals AC Milan.