Pep Guardiola could see in the eyes of his Manchester City players that they were ready take revenge on Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
City were in complete control of the Champions League semi-final, now facing Inter in the final on June 10 – their second European showpiece in three years.
Guardiola was left devastated by a dramatic late turnaround at the Bernabeu at this stage last season but believes the City squad had the mentality to send a message.
‘I had the feeling these last days that we had a mix of calm and the intention to play these type of games,’ Guardiola said.
‘All the pain we had last year was there today. It was really tough the way we lost. We had to swallow the poison and say, “I want it”.
Pep Guardiola said City ‘got their reward’ after suffering defeat to Real Madrid last season
City produced a superb performance to thrash Real 4-0 and reach next month’s final
‘It was there, the energy from one year. This team is so humble. I’m so proud. They take every competition so seriously. I hate arrogance in sort, when you believe you are something that you are not. Today they got their reward. Life always gives you a second opportunity.’
City head into a potentially history-making few weeks, with three trophies still on the line and the possibility to wrap up the Premier League title against Chelsea on Sunday.
Guardiola stopped short of openly discussing the Treble personally but added: ‘Of course we are there. The players can visualise it. They have the feeling, it’s normal. We’re three games away. We can do it.’
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti fears their critics will overreact to the defeat while questioning whether his players showed enough aggression.
‘We played against an opponent who deserved to win they played with more intensity, more quality up front and they took their chances,’ Ancelotti said.
‘The game didn’t go to plan. I will say again, I don’t think we have to make a drama out of it.’
Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra – dressed in a red suit while at the Etihad on broadcasting duties – became embroiled in a spat with City staff at full time.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
