The coin has fallen for him. Now Pep Guardiola’s reputation is on the line

Manchester City’s owners consider winning the Champions League to be their destiny. They implied as much in 2008, albeit accepting that it would take some time

This week, Guardiola was asked about his team’s improvement in Champions League knockout form. His answer? Good luck. “I have to admit it,” Guardiola said. “This year the coin fell down on our side.” Picture: Matt McNulty/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

It says everything about Manchester City’s spending, fantastic wealth, and rabid pursuit of silverware that there is one match that every season ultimately marks the line between their glorious success and the grey tinge of relative failure, and yet this is the first time that they have actually played in it.

There is a common misjudgement that management at a superclub is an easy life. Tell that to a man who has won 30 trophies in 13 years, has just won a sixth domestic title in eight years and yet will face intense scrutiny if his team loses on Saturday evening.