Man City's Treble stars reflect on Pep turning 2021 heartbreak into history

Manchester City players have lifted the lid on how Pep Guardiola used failure in the 2021 Champions League final to spur them on to a historic Treble last season.

City became only the second English side to achieve the feat during a superb 2022-23 campaign that saw them pip Arsenal to the Premier League title before beating rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

A Champions League final triumph against Inter Milan was the last piece of the jigsaw as Guardiola finally won a trophy that had eluded him since arriving at City in 2016.

Now, in the BBC documentary Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection, the Treble-winning stars have revealed all about their journey from heartbreak to history.

Banishing the blues

Guardiola's team were heavy favourites heading into the Porto showpiece in May 2021, having finished 19 points above opponents Chelsea in the Premier League during the 2020-21 campaign.

But a Kai Havertz winner secured a shock victory for Thomas Tuchel's Blues, with many pinning the blame for City's defeat on Guardiola's decision to play without a recognised defensive midfielder.

Rodri, who was dropped for the game, said: "No, he didn't explain [why he dropped me]. When we'd trained two or three days before the final, he'd already decided the team.

"I wanted to disappear in that moment [after losing]. I remember silence in the locker room, silence everywhere and then in the hotel."

But with the benefit of hindsight, Rodri reflected: "I always say the same [thing]. To be successful, you first have to fail."

On a roll

City fell short once again the following season, dramatically losing to Real Madrid in the last four.

But on a roll and fighting on three fronts 12 months later, those demons were exorcised in emphatic style with a 4-0 victory over Los Blancos in the second leg of their semi-final — earning a 5-1 aggregate win.

Midfielder Phil Foden said: "The way we performed in that game [against Real Madrid], I think that was the turning point for us." 

Veteran defender Kyle Walker added: "We seemed to hit form at the right time. I was thinking we were on the verge of doing something special here.

"Everyone kept on saying 'the Treble, the Treble, the Treble'. It's possible, of course it's possible, but not many teams have done it."

The final stretch

Having already wrapped up the Premier League title with three games to spare, City had to negotiate a blockbuster FA Cup final against bitter rivals United to keep the Treble dream alive.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan, who has since moved on to Barcelona, set them on their way with a stunner inside 20 seconds at Wembley and a second volley from the German after the break secured the second of three prizes. 

Walker, 33, said: "For me, that was the most important game.

"If we didn't win the FA Cup, you've got the other side of the city saying they're still the only team to win the Treble in England."

History makers

A nail-biting final against a resolute Inter in Istanbul had all the characteristics of the Chelsea defeat two years earlier. 

But this time, City emerged victorious thanks to a second-half strike from Rodri — the man who had missed out in Porto.

On that crowning moment, the Spanish midfielder, 27, claimed: "It was like the last step [winning the UCL final]. It was very special for me."

With Guardiola finally winning his third Champions League 12 years after his second, Gundogan reflected: "I think for Pep, it was something very special."

Watch Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection tonight from 10.40pm GMT on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.