Nathan Ake believes hard work and honesty among the Manchester City squad have put them 90 minutes from the treble, as he pledged that his teammates will do everything to lift the Champions League.
Ake has returned from injury in time for the final games of the season, starting on the bench in the FA Cup final win over Manchester United as Manu Akanji played on the left of the defence. Having played a key role in City's Premier League title win, and their march to the Champions League final next week, Ake said that the collective understanding within the squad is what has put them so close to making history.
"If you're so close you're going to do everything to do it. It's still one big final to go and we have to still focus on it," the Dutchman said after the FA Cup final.
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"It's been the whole season, it sounds cliche - game by game - but the whole season we've lived up to that. Now you're here it's only one game left to lift another cup. It [the treble] is something that isn't done usually, we know we can do something remarkable."
Explaining how City have got to within one game is the treble, Ake pointed to the hard work done off the pitch to ensure everything comes together on it.
"It's already showing now, the togetherness we have a group," he said. "Everyone is good with each other, works for each other, pushes each other when needed. If there are moments when we slack off or feel we have to push more we feel like we can say that to each other. The team is very good together.
"Sometimes there's training sessions after games, some people who aren't playing are frustrated but nobody shows that and gets on with it and trains hard. Everyone pushes each other for the starting line up and that keeps the level very high and nobody can drop.
"I think people know how hard we work. Every day the manager demands you're the best version of yourself. Training and games keep coming every three days. You have to be there mentally and physically, it's a very long season."
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