Seeking Champions League revenge towards Real Madrid could be a grave error by Manchester City, Pep Guardiola claimed on Monday forward of their semi-final showdown.
The City coach mentioned his group would try to capitalise on an “alternative” as an alternative of aiming to make Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning champions pay for eliminating them on the similar stage final season.
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The former Barcelona participant and supervisor was at odds with City’s defensive midfielder Rodri, who mentioned the group have been hungry for revenge towards the document 14-time winners on Tuesday on the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It will probably be an enormous mistake, we’re not right here for revenge, simply a possibility,” Guardiola instructed a information convention.
“Last season we did all the things, greater than all the things to succeed in the ultimate, however (in) soccer … it’s not sufficient.”
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City have by no means lifted the trophy however Madrid have triumphed 5 occasions within the final 9 seasons.
Guardiola’s aspect beat Madrid 4-3 within the first leg final season and led by a objective within the return, till two late Rodrygo Goes strikes compelled extra-time.
Karim Benzema scored a penalty within the extra interval to ship Madrid by to the Paris remaining, the place they beat Liverpool.
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“I feel we did 180 minutes brilliantly but it surely’s not sufficient generally, you possibly can lose the leg in 5 minutes,” mentioned Spanish midfielder Rodri.
“You should kill the opponent when you possibly can. We’ve learnt from the previous however I don’t like to speak concerning the previous.
“We’ve learnt quite a bit, it’s one other 12 months, one other objective, with the starvation of getting revenge.” Guardiola did agree with Rodri that City performed nicely over each ties final season, regardless of their eventual elimination.
“We had an distinctive first recreation in Manchester, we did a very good recreation right here,” mentioned Guardiola.
“All we will do is congratulate them and transfer ahead. One 12 months later, we’re right here.”
The coach mentioned he thought his aspect would sooner or later triumph in Europe, after disappointment within the 2021 remaining, the place they have been overwhelmed by Chelsea.
Guardiola praised his membership’s stability, in distinction to different sides who triumph however then fall away in subsequent years.
City have reached no less than the final eight in every of the previous six seasons.
“One day we are going to attain the ultimate and we are going to win it,” mentioned Guardiola.
“I wouldn’t prefer to win the Champions League after which go down and down and down.
“Being steady is a very powerful issues as a membership, Madrid are an instance.”
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