Exclusive: Josko Gvardiol outlines desire to 'celebrate with Champions League trophy' during time at Manchester City
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Updated 18/08/2023 at 23:19 GMT
Following his move from RB Leipzig, 21–year-old Josko Gvardiol has already has his sights set on securing back-to-back Champions League titles for Manchester City. He made his full debut in the Super Cup win against Sevilla on Wednesday, where City triumphed on penalties, and is determined to win more. "I have never won the Champions League, so I would like to celebrate with this trophy."
PIRAEUS, GREECE - AUGUST 16: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City poses for a photo with his winners medal after the team's victory in the UEFA Super Cup 2023 match between Manchester City FC and Sevilla FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on August 16, 2023 in Piraeu
Image credit: Eurosport
Josko Gvardiol is determined to “celebrate with the Champions League trophy” at Manchester City following his summer move from RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old defender has already got his first taste of silverware at Man City, where he featured for the entirety of the club’s penalty shoot-out win against Sevilla in the Super Cup on Wednesday.
Now, Gvardiol wants to waste no time as he looks to help the club retain its status as English and European Champions.
“My dream was to play in the Premier League, and finally, I have the opportunity to compete in this competition,” the Croatian exclusively told TNT Sports.
“Especially after my first game, my first 90 minutes, I won the trophy - I couldn’t have imagined a better start and hopefully, we continue that way.”
Prior to Man City lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time in the club’s history last season, the previous 10 winning sides included a Croatian player in the squad.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Perisic (Bayern Munich), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), and fellow summer arrival Matteo Kovacic - who triumphed with Chelsea over Man City in 2021 - were among the players to have won Europe’s most prestigious prize during that time.
Pep Guardiola’s team broke that streak last campaign when City beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul, but Gvardiol wants more Croatian success alongside his international - and now club - team-mate Kovacic at Man City.
“I know that! City broke that and, of course, we have to congratulate City because they did something amazing last season, and hopefully this season we’re going to win it as well,” he said.
“Especially because Kova is here with me and I have never won the Champions League, so I would like to celebrate with this trophy at least once in my career.”
Kovacic has no doubt helped Gvardiol to settle into life at City, but who else has been showing him the ropes?
“I have to say that I like the city [Manchester]. Especially the team and the staff as well,” Gvardiol explained. “Everything is perfect and they have welcomed me really well. Once again, happy to be here.
“Matteo [Kovacic] is my helping hand. But I have to say that Kalvin [Phillips] is the one who is available all the time, and also the rest of the team.”
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