Pep Guardiola says revenge for last season’s semi-final heartache fueled the triple chase Manchester City Sealing their place in style against Real in the Champions League final Madrid.
Inter and Milan faced each other on 10 June. Istanbul He calls after a spectacular display of skill, strength and intellect against reigning champions in a rocking Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
City drew 1-1 with Champions League kings Madrid last week, winning 4-0 as Bernardo Silva supplemented with an own goal from Eder Militao and finished as a substitute with Julian Alvarez’s effort in a stunning final foursome.
The 5-1 collective victory came particularly sweet after City’s last loss to Chelsea in 2021 combined with their agonizing semi-final exit to Madrid last year.
“Listen, I’ve had the feeling lately we have a mix of calm and nervousness to play this kind of game,” Guardiola said of the heartbreaking end of last term’s 6-5 total overtime loss.
“After 10 or 15 minutes, I felt that all the pain we’ve had for a year from last season is there today.
“Last season, when we played very similar to today, it was very difficult and tough and I remember it. toni kroos He gave an interview saying they could lose 10-1 or 10-2 at Etihad.
“Kroos is one of the best players I’ve ever seen and trained and when he said we were there and the way we lost was really tough.
“We had to swallow poison at that moment, and football and sports always give you another chance.
“When Madrid was tied, I said ‘yes, I want’. I wanted it because I think it’s all there today – the energy we had for a year when we were criticized as players for not having character when we lost because of football.
“He was there today and I’m happy for the whole organization – the president, the owner, the staff and especially all the players because we conceded defeat and were there today.”
City are also the overwhelming favorites of the bookies to beat Inter, just as they were destined in Turkey to lift the FA Cup against their rivals Manchester United seven days before that date.
We had to swallow poison and football and sports always give you another chance
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola’s men also have a good chance of completing the trio they can kick off this weekend by completing their Premier League title against Chelsea.
“We are one game away from winning the Premier League three years in a row and we have played two Champions League finals and one semi-final,” he said.
“This is consistency. I always give the example of being a Carabao Cup winner four years in a row. This means the level of this team.
“There’s something incredible about this team that I’m proud of – they’re so humble. No matter the competition, they take every game seriously because they’re so humble.
“I hate arrogance in sports the moment you believe you are something you are not. These guys haven’t done this in years and today we got the accolade they deserve.
“It’s a final against an Italian team, people will say we are the favourites, and that’s the worst thing that can happen but we have time to prepare and now we are focusing on Chelsea because we have to try to close the Premier League as soon as possible. I have to prepare for United and Inter Milan. “
As for the deposed champions Madrid, coach Carlo Ancelotti had no arguments with City’s progress.
“I think Manchester City deserved to win tonight because they played better than us.
“Last season was different. This season they deserve to be in the final and fight for the final. Last season they were better than us when we were better than them.”
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