Manchester City is an exceptional football team. Since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016, they have dominated the Premier League, winning six titles and accumulating the most points, wins, and goals in the country. Despite an ongoing legal issue with the Premier League, their trophy cabinet includes two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, and a Champions League victory, solidifying their status as one of the best teams in English football history.
They are so good that they don’t need to rely on dubious records to showcase their greatness.
Therefore, the recent claim that Manchester City broke a Manchester United record in Europe is false. They are not “unbeaten” in 26 Champions League games. Last season, they were defeated by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, while Madrid went on to win the trophy.
A loss is a loss, regardless of how it happens. Penalties, according to IFAB, are just one of the ways to determine the winning team, along with away goals and extra time. It’s a strange situation where a team that loses in a penalty shootout can still claim they have not ‘lost.’
Penalty shootouts are not random chance but a test of nerve and skill. Teams, like Manchester City, take them seriously and practice for them just like any other aspect of the game.
Real Madrid’s victory over City last season was clear and undisputed, emphasizing that penalties, though different from regular play, are still a legitimate way to decide a winner. The better team usually wins because they excel in taking penalties.
While Guardiola’s City remains a top-tier team in English football with numerous trophies and accomplishments, their latest “record” is not valid. They stand tall without the need for fake accolades.