Following Manchester City’s last-minute extra-time exit from the UEFA Champions League during the previous season, the club’s board have now spoken out on events for the first time since.
However, interestingly, Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has reiterated that the Champions League is not actually one of the club's main targets in any season - even after winning the Premier League multiple times.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Dr. Football Podcast, Soriano emphasised the important role of luck in Europe's premier competition, thus insisting that the tournament cannot be a core objective in the club's plans.
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Ferran Soriano explained, “We don’t make this (the UEFA Champions League) the core of our objectives because of what I said; luck plays a role in the Champions League because there are a handful of games that you can have a bad game in, in the semi-finals and you’re out.”
The Manchester City chief went on to elaborate on how he and others inside of the club believe that the Premier League is both awarded to the most deserved team, as well as it being harder to win.
Soriano continued, “Whoever wins the league is the best team in the league."
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"We say internally, ‘The league is our bread and butter. This is what we do for a living; the league'.”
It was also further insisted that the club are laid back about the delayed prospect of winning the elusive Champions League.
“The Champions League is an additional trophy that we want but we know that it might be subject to a bit of luck so we’re not obsessed.”
Perhaps the most interesting and valid points highlighted by Ferran Soriano was that of the issue regarding Real Madrid, and their history in the competition.
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Soriano was keen to highlight that the La Liga giants and now experienced professionals in Europe's most glamorous tournament once struggled to get their hands on the title, due to the element of luck being absent.
“People say now about the success that Real Madrid have had in the last years and I think it’s fair to say that there’s been a bit of luck."
"Maybe I could say that they deserved to lose against PSG, against Chelsea, against us, against Liverpool."
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"But, people do not remember that in the 90s, 80s, Real Madrid had a fantastic team, one of the best in history with Butragueno and they couldn’t win. They were knocked out of the Champions (League)."
To many, it now seems as though it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Manchester City win the Champions League - and with another strong summer on the cards with many arrivals to Pep Guardiola's playing squad already taking place, the Blues arguably have an even better chance next year.
Ferran Soriano closed by assertively stating, “We’re patient, this is not an obsession, we will win it at the right time.”
For Manchester City, their preparations for another season begin next month, as they travel to the United States for a pre-season tour.
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Following friendly matches against Club America and Bayern Munich, City will then face Liverpool in the Community Shield - the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic football season in England.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, Football, Pep Guardiola
Louis Writtle