Pep Guardiola expressed pride in embedding the Champions League into Manchester City's identity as he approaches his 100th match managing the club in this competition. On Tuesday, Guardiola will join Alex
Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as the only managers to lead an English club in 100 European Cup or Champions League games. City have won 62 of their first 99 matches under Guardiola, drawing 19 and losing 18, capturing their first European title against Inter in Istanbul in 2023.
City currently hold 10 points from their initial four games in the 2025-26 season, placing them fourth among the 36 teams. Bayer Leverkusen trails behind in 21st place, five points adrift. Guardiola's team needs just one more point to match last season's group stage total when they narrowly advanced to the knockout rounds in 22nd place before being eliminated by Real Madrid with a 6-3 aggregate score.
During Monday's pre-match press conference, Guardiola reflected on reaching his 100th Champions League game with City. He remarked, "I realise I'm getting old! Every week is a milestone. Every season we have been there and hopefully next season we will be there too. " He emphasized the significance of competing against Europe's elite teams for players, managers, and the club's prestige and financial standing.
Guardiola acknowledged that while there have been more disappointments than successes, especially during group stages where City often excelled except last season with the new format, these experiences shape a team. "Good moments and bad moments define a team, a club," he noted. He added that sports are challenging and not always smooth sailing.
This season, City have not fallen behind at any point in their Champions League matches. They have led for over half of their total match time (239 minutes). In over two hours of play when scores were level (146 minutes), they managed to take 41 shots while allowing only two (+39). They also lead the competition in successful passes (2,511), pass accuracy (91.9%), sequences of ten or more passes (95), and average passes per sequence (6.2).
Remarkably, City remain the only team yet to concede a fast break in this edition of the tournament. This defensive solidity complements their offensive prowess and highlights their tactical discipline under Guardiola's guidance.
The journey through both triumphs and setbacks has been pivotal for Manchester City under Guardiola's leadership. As they continue to compete at high levels, each experience contributes to their growth as a formidable force in European football.
