Guardiola’s 3 seasons of woes in Europe

Pep Guardiola suffered another dose of Champions League misery with
Manchester City on Wednesday as his side were knocked out by Tottenham
on away goals after a sensational quarter-final second leg at the Etihad
Stadium.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola has failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals in any
of his three seasons as City manager, extending his long wait to win
the tournament for the third time — with his last triumph coming as
Barcelona boss in 2011.

A Chronicle of Failure

2016-17: Eliminated by Monaco on away goals in last 16, won first leg at home 5-3, lost second leg away 3-1.

Guardiola’s first Champions League campaign with City came to a
surprising end against French side Monaco, featuring a young Kylian
Mbappe.

Monaco scored three times at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg, but
City hit four in the second half to seemingly take control of the tie.

However, in the second leg hapless City couldn’t prevent Tiemoue
Bakayoko’s late goal handing Guardiola his first Champions League last
16 exit as a manager.

2017-18: Eliminated by Liverpool 5-1 on aggregate in quarter-finals, lost first leg away 3-0, lost second leg at home 2-1.

Traumatised by the vicious reception from a huge mob of Liverpool
fans who attacked the City team bus with missiles outside Anfield,
Guardiola’s team crumbled in the first leg.

Goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane put Liverpool three up by the 31st minute.

In the return in Manchester, City scored early on through Gabriel
Jesus, but never built up enough momentum for a comeback as Salah and
Roberto Firmino struck for the Reds after half-time.

2018-19: Eliminated by Tottenham on away goals in quarter-finals, lost first leg away 1-0, won second leg at home 4-3.

Handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first leg at the
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Danny Rose’s handball conceded a first
half penalty, City blew it as Sergio Aguero’s spot-kick was saved by
Hugo Lloris.

Even an injury to Tottenham striker Harry Kane couldn’t inspire
Guardiola’s side, who played a cautious game and were beaten by Son
Heung-min’s late goal.

Roaring into a 4-2 lead after trailing 2-1 in the second leg, City
were heading for the semi-finals until disaster struck in the 73rd
minute when Fernando Llorente bundled home despite a VAR review of a
potential handball by the Tottenham striker.

In an incredible finish, Guardiola was punching the air in delight
when Raheem Sterling fired what looked to be a last-gasp winner, only
for VAR to rule it out for offside.

City had spent the highest money in Europe to recruit players. Last
year, the spending was put at £1.4 billion, within 10 years, according
to La Gazzetta dello Sport.