The irresistible test of strength shown against Real Madrid, avenged after two eliminations in a row in the Champions League, has generated, and not only among Manchester City fans, a contagious movement of optimism and enthusiasm, such as to reduce the final in Istanbul against Inter to the inevitable epilogue of the most obvious triumph. So, while commentators wonder who can ever stop such a battleship, capable of finding its highest expression in the highlight of the season (23 games without defeat), to answer the Hamletic question we think - with shameless frankness - one of Pep Guardiola's stars, the talented Jack Grealish.
"I don't think many teams can outclass Real Madrid like we did. When we play together, especially at home, we are irresistible." Synonymous with unbeatable, even if Guardiola - having learned the audacity of his No.10 - was quick to curb the superlatives. But of course it is difficult to blame Grealish, after the last overflowing performance of the Citizens, perfect for intensity, quality of play, final execution.
Not only the local press, but also on social media and among the most authoritative commentators, is a unanimous chorus of congratulations and admiration for City, which is already a candidate to be one of the best English teams ever. Judgments that are reflected in the odds of English bookmakers for Istanbul: City overwhelming favorite to win the first Champions League in its history, after the one lost in the final, only two years ago against Chelsea (the victory of City is quoted 15/4, that of Inter <>/<>).
Already on Sunday, winning against Chelsea, the Citizens can confirm themselves as champions of England for the third time in a row, the fifth in the last six years (with Guardiola on the bench), the ninth in their history. And on the first Saturday of June they will also have the chance to lift the FA Cup to the sky, in the final at Wembley against their United cousins. Of which they aim to equal the legendary treble of 1999, the one with Sir Alex Ferguson on the bench. On the road of the Citizens, however, remain three former United, Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian, possible Nerazzurri starters in the final on the Bosphorus.
The Champions League would represent the final consecration of City, and of Guardiola himself, who has risen to four continental finals. A historic feat, only three games away, the last step, which - according to the calculation of the probabilities of a statistics department - has a 56% chance of coming true. Closer than far, a matter of time. The mathematical response shared by an entire country.