Coach Pep Guardiola does not see Manchester City under any particular pressure because of the lost semifinals last year against Real Madrid in the renewed Champions League duel.
“What happened in the past stays in the past. We’re not here for revenge,” said Guardiola ahead of the semi-final first leg at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu. It’s “just about a new opportunity” for City’s long-awaited first triumph in the premier class.
“They are completely different games”
Nevertheless, almost all of the journalists’ questions at the press conference addressed Manchester’s dramatic semi-final defeat in extra time in Madrid. But Guardiola (52) didn’t want to make a connection, even if the squads of both teams remained almost the same: “They are completely different games.” As a coach, Guardiola won the Champions League twice with FC Barcelona, but he was denied this title with FC Bayern Munich, just as he had previously with Manchester City.
Defender Rodrigo is certain: “We have to play an incredible game and show the best version of ourselves and fight to get to the final.” The motivation within the team is great – even without a desire for revenge, said Guardiola: “We want to, no question. But no less than last year.”
