Pablo Zabaleta says the Champions League is now a huge goal for Manchester City following their second Premier League title in three years.
City’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United secured the title and Zabaleta is adamant that winning Europe’s premier club competition should be their next ambition. This season they reached the last 16 before going out to Barcelona.
“The Champions League is a competition where you play against the best teams in Europe,” said the Argentinian right-back. “On those days you have to perform well in the big games. The Premier League is different . . . You have 38 games and, if you drop points, you have the chance to win the next game. In the Champions League if you make one mistake, you are out.
“We know how difficult it is to reach the final of the Champions League and win it . . . it’s a competition we are very excited about trying to win. But step by step.”
After their disappointing defence of the Premier League last time Zabaleta also wants a better effort next season. “Well, we need to enjoy this title. This is a massive achievement, but we need to come back even stronger,” he added.
“Of course, every single season we work hard to improve in every sense. At the beginning of this season we were struggling to keep a clean sheet. In the second part we saw a very good defence, very good at the back, and the performance of individual players has been fantastic.
Proven stamina
"I think also you should learn from mistakes. This season we have been consistent
. . . We knew we needed to win this league because we have one of the best squads in the Premier League. We have been working really hard for this moment and we were the best team at the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, City captain Vincent Kompany promised supporters more silverware as the side took to the streets to parade the Premier League trophy and League Cup.
Thousands of supporters filled Manchester’s Albert Square and then lined surrounding streets as the team began an open-top bus tour from outside the town hall.
Fans relived City’s season of glory, thanks to big-screen replays before players addressed the crowd and then boarded the bus.
Kompany, who scored the second goal in the 2-0 win over the Hammers, said: “This is a team that is growing and we have done it in style.
“Everyone keeps saying, ‘they have won the league and they have done it in style’. That is what I like about it. That is what I want us to do again in future, keep winning in style.”
Asked by the event compere if more trophies would follow, the influential defender added: “Has to be more, always more.”
City’s title hopes took a knock last month as they lost at rivals Liverpool and were then held to a draw by Sunderland.
Their fate fell from their grasp but they seized on a slip-up by Liverpool to finish strongly and supplant rivals Manchester United as champions for the second time in three seasons.
“We never gave up, we always believe. Together we did it. We knew we could and until the end we fought and we brought the Premier League back to the city, and in the colours, it should always be,” said Kompany.
Playmaker Samir Nasri, who opened the scoring in the final game, paid tribute to manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“Pellegrini has impressed in his first season in English football after taking over from the sacked Roberto Mancini last summer,” he said.
Nasri reflections
Asked what the main differences were from last year's team, when City finished runners-up in the league and FA Cup, Nasri
replied: “Do you want me to be honest? The atmosphere, the manager and the confidence. That is the difference.”
Elaborating on what Pellegrini had brought to the club, Nasri said: “He trusts the players. The philosophy we played all season is just about all the quality we have in this team, that is the big difference.”
Goalkeeper also spoke to the crowd. Hart (27) was asked about the spell last autumn when he was dropped from the side after a spell of bad form.
“It has been a good season, a tough season, but one I have enjoyed. It was difficult for me personally but the beauty of this team is that we have got people who can fill in at any time,” he said.
"Costel [Pantilimon] was absolutely fantastic when he played, I got taken out of the team. He's been brilliant, a pleasure to work with . . . and Xabi [Mancisidor] has come in and been a great coach.
Guardian Service
