Champions League Belongs To Us — Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that their long-awaited triumph in the Champions League was destined as his team emerged victorious against Inter Milan in a nail-biting final on Saturday.

A solitary strike by Rodri in the 68th minute secured City's maiden title in club football's most prestigious tournament, despite enduring a tense second half as Inter Milan squandered several golden opportunities.

Speaking to BT Sport in the aftermath of the hard-fought 1-0 victory, Guardiola acknowledged the immense challenge of claiming the coveted trophy. "It's so difficult to win it," he remarked.

"They (his players) are truly exceptional. I told them to be patient at halftime and rely on a bit of luck.

"Whether it's Ederson's heroics or their missed chances, this competition can be decided by a flip of a coin. It was written in the stars. It belongs to us."

The triumph marks Guardiola's third Champions League victory as a manager, having previously secured the title twice with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

City's win over Inter Milan also completed a remarkable treble, following their earlier successes in the Premier League and FA Cup this season.

Reflecting on the team's journey, Guardiola acknowledged the significant progress made by the squad since the World Cup.

"The team took a step forward after the World Cup, and here we are," he stated.

"We will celebrate with our loved ones in the hotel tonight, and on Monday, the parade will take place in Manchester.

"Achieving the treble is an incredibly arduous feat, especially in this competition."

Since their acquisition by Abu Dhabi-based backers in 2008, Manchester City have come close to Champions League glory on multiple occasions, with a heart-wrenching defeat to Chelsea in the final two years ago serving as a painful reminder of their previous near-misses.

However, Guardiola's astute guidance and the team's unwavering determination have finally propelled City to the pinnacle of European club football.