Pep Guardiola: «The feeling is that if you want to win the Champions League you have to be Real Madrid».
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola assessed his club’s attempts to win the Champions League after securing a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals, where they will face Real Madrid, favorites and reigning champions, who beat the English side last season.
Real Madrid: 11 semifinals in the last 13 years
«Yesterday I read that Real Madrid has 11 semifinals in the last 13 years. We have three in a row and we think it’s incredible. All the teams in the world have the feeling that if you want to win the Champions League you have to call yourself ‘Real Madrid’. Before it was Barcelona, now it’s Real Madrid,» he told a press conference in Munich.
They are still trying to win their first Champions League
The Spanish coach pointed out that City have their merit in continuing to try to win their first ‘Champions League’, although to do so they will have to overcome the 14-time champions. «It’s not about winning, it’s about trying. If you try many times, maybe one time you will win,» he said after the game.
«I know this stadium, how they believe and press.»
Guardiola also assessed the draw against a Bayern side that had to come back from 3-0 down in the first leg in Manchester. «I know this stadium, how they believe and press. We defended our area very well. I think this is where we have improved compared to last season,» he said, praising the scorer of the away goal.
«Haaland’s definition is very good.»
«Haaland’s definition is very good. The result was very good in Manchester, but we had a lot to lose here. We already have experience in the competition and the players felt it. We suffered in the first half, with Coman especially. They had one or two good chances before the penalty but we defended very well. The second half was much better,» he finished.
