Manchester City have Real Madrid to contend before utilising their dream of winning the Champion League for the time in their history
Meanwhile as Pep Guardiola gets ready for Manchester City’s rematch with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, he has stressed that seeking retribution was not his driving force.
City has a chance to redeem itself this season after being heartbreakingly defeated by the Spanish squad in the last four last years.
Guardiola is concentrating on the game at hand rather than looking back a year ago as the first leg of their most recent matchup takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
The City manager said: “It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here. In general, it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here.
“We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it. It didn’t happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition, they know exactly what they have to do.”
Having missed the finals against Chelsea in 2021, Gurdiala has high expectations for this very encounter against serial winners Real Madrid.
Guardiola said: “Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was [like] the end of the world but here we are again. Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year.
“We were prepared last year too. We are the same manager, mainly the same players but completely different games. The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester.”
Macnhester City and Real Madrid head to head
The two sides have played each other eight times. Real Madrid have won three games, City have also won three and two were draws.
Form
Real Madrid (Champions League): L W W W W W
Real Madrid (all competitions): W W L W L W
Man City (Champions League): D W D W W D
Man City (all competitions): D W W W W W
