The City boss believes his team will be stronger for the painful loss to Real Madrid but will be able to use that experience to good advantage.
He says that our Champions League adventure might be over this year , but next season he and his players will try again with even more determination.
“We were close and could not do it,” said Guardiola.
“The players wanted to play again in the final of the Champions League.
“But for this club to compete against Real Madrid was a joy. Don’t forget how well we played a week ago here. But we could not do it.
“We were good. I said after congratulations Liverpool and Madrid because they deserve to be in the final.
“Next season we will try again and if it doesn’t work we will try again. This is when we are a club that is good.
“Name all the clubs in Europe, the big ones, they are there every year.
“And we are there every year now. We didn’t achieve it, yeah okay.
ETIHAD PLAYER OF THE SEASON: STAGE 1 VOTE OPEN!
“Next day we will do it. Good moments we celebrate, bad moments more sad than usual.
“Madrid are in the final because they deserve it. We were not close enough, but we were there. Next season we will try, knowing it is so difficult.”
Talking at his Friday press conference, the City boss was asked if the current crop of players will ever win Europe’s premier club competition?
He replied: “I don’t know. It’s a question I cannot answer.
“Football is incredibly unpredictable. We saw it. This team and this club, this is the feeling I have.
“Sheikh Mansour took over, bought the club and invested in these incredible facilities and players to be what we are the last years, not just to win the Champions League.
“They did it to be there in all competitions and compete. We want to do it [win the UCL].
“For us it is an honour. Maybe it is not enough, but for me it is remarkable to be in the semi-final of the Champions League again after last season and played the way we did home and away against a great team.
“Look at the teams who went out at the last 16 or didn’t qualify from the group since day one.
“I have to handle this. It’s not about that…in the Premier League again we are there, FA Cup semi-finals again. Carabao Cup four times in a row.
“This is what the club wants to be. This is why they seduce me to come here
“People in sport know how difficult everything is but I accept it. We are sad… of course we are sad.
“But now I am thinking only about Newcastle. That’s enough focus.
“This is the only concern I have and then after that Wolves and then West Ham. That’s what is in my mind.”
City v Newcastle
We will have full coverage of Sunday’s game right here on the official Man City app.
Our Matchday Centre gets under way at 14:30, providing you with live text updates.
Matchday Live will start around 15:25 when team news is announced. Steve Howey and Shaun Goater are our studio guests for that one.
You can also enjoy full match commentary with Ali Mann and Andy Morrison.
Highlights will be available at 20:15 and CITY+ subscribers can watch a full 90-minute replay from midnight.
