Emotional Pep: This is for the fans

Seeing the players in sky blue shirts celebrate after making it to the Champions League final on Tuesday night was what every Manchester City fan wanted to see. It not right to have football matches without people in the stands, we’ve all said it before. But somehow it feels even worse when there is a huge result to celebrate. Winning in the semi-final against a quality Paris side should have caused pandemonium in the Etihad Stadium with fans going crazy – but instead it was oddly quiet.

PSG needed a miracle, but it was only the snow: City advance to the Champions League finals

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was delighted on the night when his club finally made it to their first Champions League final – a feat that was seen as a job requirement ever since he was appointed City manager in 2016. And he was quick to dedicate the achievement to the club’s faithful.

"The win was socially distanced but we loved it. It’s nice to be in a final but we missed them. Of course, it was so weird playing in an empty stadium. This achievement belongs to our fans, requires our people there. The club belongs to the people. We are here for a period but the fans always stay. Next season the doors are open and they have to support these players, what they’ve done is incredible in the toughest year. Being so close to Premier League and in final of Champions League is so good."

When Guardiola arrived from Bayern, there was a big pressure on him to deliver Europe’s biggest trophy to the club that was in pursuit of a higher level. The influx of money from Abu Dhabi and the arrival of the well-respected coach, as well as marquee signings, was a clear indication of the club’s direction – to reach European glory. After a barren spell in Germany – at least in terms of Champions League wins, Guardiola endured tough four seasons at the Etihad. A Round of 16 elimination in his first season, followed by three straight quarter-finals defeats only increased pressure on everyone at the club and made everyone wonder what was it that City needed to at least reach the semi-finals.

With a new Premier League title within his grasp and the club’s first Champions League final secured, Pep reflected on what it takes to go all the way.

"This is remarkable. People believe it's easy to arrive in the final of the Champions League. Getting to the final now makes sense of what we have done in the past four or five years. Every day these guys have been consistent. We scored a goal through the hips of the defensive wall in the first game, and today Marquinhos hit the bar in the first half - you can be out for little details."

Call it details, call it luck, call it whatever you like. Manchester City fans will finally experience a Champions League final. And after a decade-long absence, it’s bound to be special for Pep, too