This was the first European trophy in the club's history.
Joe Mercer's Blues had shown strength, quality, and determination to win a bruising encounter against Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze. The team of the late 1960s, including Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Tony Book, and Mike Summerbee, are still considered legends to this day, even if they never quite hit the world-beating heights of Pep Guardiola's side.
The current crop of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League winners last season might 'be the greatest City team - and they - have the historic Treble and now Club World Cup to prove it - but the 7 class of '70 were the first Blues side to win a European trophy.
Their journey to victory started with disappointment and a desire for redemption.
City bagged the Division One title in 1968 and entered the European , Cup for the first time, however, their - journey didn't go as expected when f they were matched with Fenerbahce in round one. Assistant Malcolm Allison boldly claimed City would 'go on and terrify Europe, but that wasn't how things turned out.
A 0-0 at Maine Road was followed by a 2-1 defeat in Istanbul against Fenerbahce. The Blues wouldn't see Champions League action again until 2011.
Despite this upset, City bounced back stronger, clinching the FA Cup after defeating Leicester City 1-0 at Wembley the same season. This victory led to their entry into the now-defunct European Cup Winners' Cup, where they found success.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Signing a top striker is still ultimate goal
UNITED'S strikers were signed for more than £100m and have scored 11 goals between them this season, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out a new forward is required.
If it comes to the crunch...let Nacho go
WHEN United's football committee went through the squad last summer and assessed who could be sold to raise funds to reinvest, they alighted on only a handful of 'untouchables, those players who simply weren't for sale, no matter the offer.
Omar attitude will appeal to Guardiola
EXCITEMENT is building among City fans as links with prolific Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush continue.
Doyle can be defender City are looking for
CITY'S interest in signing a center-back has naturally captured interest.
ICC must 'deliver own rules' on England game
DOWNING Street has called on the International Cricket Council to \"deliver on their own rules\" as the England team resists pressure to boycott their forthcoming match against Afghanistan.
Triumph profits stall as result of China downturn
TRIUMPH, the iconic motorcycle brand, has seen its profits stall due to an economic downturn in China and a drop in sterling's value.
Grooming gang probe 'would be distraction'
INDEPENDENT INQUIRY HEAD SAYS 'LOCALLY, PEOPLE NEED TO STEP UP'
Pledge to move 'as fast as we can' on dentists
NHS dentistry is at \"death's door\", the Health Secretary has told MPs as he restated his commitment to rolling out an extra 700,000 urgent dental appointments.
Gaining More Pounds
MAYOR WANTS TO INCREASE POLICE PART OF COUNCIL TAX 'TO MAINTAIN FORCE IMPROVEMENT'
Hairspray attacker told to 'get his life together'
JUDGE SAYS 23-YEAR-OLD COULD HAVE BLINDED HIS EX-PARTNER WITH AEROSOL CAN DURING ROW OVER COUPLE'S PET DOGS
