Manchester City are undoubtedly one of the best clubs in Europe with top class players like Yaya Toure, Aguero and Kompany who on their day would all get into a world XI. But having never really threatened to do much in Europe, having only qualified beyond the group stage phase once and looking in danger of missing on qualifying from the group stage yet again, they haven't seemed to crack competing simultaneously in both Europe and domestically.
So, my question is will City ever lift the CL? Not just this season, but for the foreseeable future. As their better players are approaching 'that age' will they do Chelsea-esque heroics and lift the trophy at the tail-end of the peak of their powers. And if they don't, will they be able to rebuild enough, considering FFP, to mount a serious challenge at some point in the future? What is everyone's gut instinct on this?
Will City ever win the Champions League?
posted on 1/11/14
I think we have as good a chance as any English club. Our owners said they were aiming to win it within 10 years, that was 6 years ago so we're still on target.
FFP won't affect us after this season and I'm not personally bothered if we make the group stages or not as I'd rather we concentrate on the league at this stage.
posted on 1/11/14
I hope we win it soon so the Stone Roses will finally reform.
posted on 1/11/14
As they say with the lottery, "you have to be in it to win it".
So yes, City can win the CL some day as long as we continue to qualify for it.
posted on 1/11/14
comment by Boris 'Inky' Gibson (U5901)
posted 3 hours, 2 minutes ago
City by comparison have virtually no European experience to be speak of throughout their history in any of the European competitions.
Apart from winning the Cup Winners Cup and reaching the Semi-Finals the following season.
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Fair enough I didn't know that. The point is that in your recent history prior to the Arabs you have absolutely no European experience to speak of.
In the recent seasons before Abramovich came along Chelsea won the European Cup Winners Cup as well as playing in the Champions League.
posted on 1/11/14
I'm not sure I agree with the historical side of things. Chelsea were in a much better position than we were when we were taken over, but it still took years to win the CL.
posted on 1/11/14
When Chelsea won their first European trophy they beat City, who were the holders, in the Semi-Final.
It helps to know a bit about the history of your own club before you start making sweeping criticisms of others.
The reason you had moderate success pre-Abramovitch was helped by the fact you had rich backers like Matthew Harding, Ken Bates and before that, Brian Mears. City had to make their own way in that era as the club was owned by a succesion of moderately rich fans rather than mega-rich businessmen and we were in the situation that many other clubs are in with the glass ceiling created by the lack of European football and the riches that go with it.
posted on 1/11/14
It helps to know a bit about the history of your own club before you start making sweeping criticisms of others.
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Sweeping criticisms ?? If you say so.
I'm just pointing out City's total lack of European experience in the last few decades as a reason why City have underachieved in the CL. I think it's a fair link to make.
As for not knowing that we beat City in the 1971 Cup Winners Cup semis I wasn't even born then. What I do know is that we beat Real Madrid in that Final and beat them.
Have you ever beaten Real Madrid ? We've played them twice and beaten them twice in competitive games, both times were pre-Abramovich.
posted on 1/11/14
I think we have, I'll look it up.
I know we were the first English team to win a Domestic and English cup double, we were also the first English team not to lose against AC Milan in Italy.
Despite the fact I wasn't even born then, I know we won the FA Cup in 1904.
posted on 1/11/14
I was there Boris, rubbish game
posted on 1/11/14