Manchester City have become just the eighth club in European history to win a treble of trophies that includes the national league, the main national cup competition and the greatest prize in club football.
A 68th-minute Rodri goal was enough to see Pep Guardiola’s side win the UEFA Champions League for the first time at Inter Milan’s expense. Added to their English Premier League and FA Cup victories this season, it’s a massive treble that will be celebrated by their supporters until the end of time.
In 1966/67, Celtic became the first-ever team to win a treble that included the European Cup. Actually, Jock Stein’s legends won a quadruple that season, as well as the Glasgow Cup, becoming immortal.
That was a different era and big spending was not the route to victory. The Bhoys also achieved it with a group of local lads. It remains one of the most special footballing achievements in history.
A further six teams followed with their own continental trebles: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and tonight’s other finalists Inter. Remarkably, Barcelona and Bayern have managed the achievement twice.
Liverpool won a form of the treble in 1983/84, however it was not the FA Cup they lifted, but the English League Cup.
Celtic now clear to speak to Enzo Maresca
Many Celtic fans had an added incentive to watch tonight’s final, not just because of this brush with history, but because a prominent Man City coach has been linked with a move to Glasgow.
The Bhoys are reported to be keen to speak to one of Guardiola’s assistants, Enzo Maresca, about the possibility of replacing Ange Postecoglou as manager.
Maresca works with the first team and will no doubt be savouring the taste of victory tonight after putting so much hard work into the season. Now, the next few days are set to be very interesting indeed. The former Juventus and Sevilla midfielder could have some big decisions to make.
Even if Celtic do not ask him to take the hot seat, moving past talks with the Italian will at least allow the club to narrow down their search and pick a successor for Ange.
In other news, Report: Celtic remain steadfast after official Spurs approaches.
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