Pep Guardiola to make 'special' Wembley return after two momentous nights
Saturday 11 March 2017 14:29, UK
Pep Guardiola is going back to Wembley. After two glorious nights there with Barcelona, he now has the chance to make more history at the famous venue with Manchester City.
The Spaniard was a central figure in Barcelona's two big wins at the national stadium, first, as a player, in the 1992 European Cup final, and then as the club's manager in the 2011 Champions League final victory over Manchester United.
It's so beautiful and that's why I'd like to be there. Wembley is special for me, definitely.
He made his desire to return to Wembley plain in his pre-match press conference ahead of City's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Middlesbrough and he backed up that talk by selecting a full-strength side at the Riverside.
Within three minutes David Silva put City ahead, before Sergio Aguero grabbed a second in the convincing 2-0 victory.
Here, we take a look back at Guardiola's two previous visits to Wembley…
1992 European Cup final - Sampdoria 0-1 Barcelona (aet)
Guardiola's first visit to Wembley was an iconic moment in the history of Barcelona. Under the management of the peerless Johan Cruyff, the Dream Team had seized control of domestic football from Real Madrid. Now they just needed to lift their first-ever European Cup.
The Man City boss started the final against Sampdoria in a holding midfield role among a team of illustrious players, including Hristo Stoichkov, Michael Laudrup and Julio Salinas. Their opposition included future familiar faces to the Premier League such as Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini and Attilio Lombardo.
At the old Wembley, under the Twin Towers, a fascinating game played out. Barcelona were on top for long periods and hit the woodwork through Stoichkov, but they could find no way past a determined, well-drilled Sampdoria side always on the lookout for a counter-attack.
Nothing separated the teams after 90 minutes. In extra-time, a penalty shootout beckoned. But then, with just eight minutes left to play, Ronald Koeman's stunning free-kick hit the net.
"They were pioneers and we cannot compete with that no matter how many trophies we win," Guardiola said in 2011, as his then Barcelona team swept all before them.
2011 Champions League final - Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
Two years after Barcelona had got the better of Manchester United in Rome, Sir Alex Ferguson was hopeful of reversing the result in England. But, Guardiola's Barca of 2011 were on another level.
At the new Wembley Stadium, which was hosting Europe's elite club final for the first time, the Spanish side produced a fine show of their remarkable ability, with Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa finding the net after Wayne Rooney had levelled the scores in the first-half.
United were unable to stem the constant tide of Barcelona attacks in the second half and there was no doubt Barcelona deserved to claim the coveted crown for the third time in six seasons. "They are the best team we have ever played, they are at the peak in this cycle of their team," Ferguson conceded after the game."
