City reached the FA Cup final for a second successive season after Bernardo Silva’s late strike sealed a semi-final victory over Wembley.
It was a tough game coming so closely after our difficult Champions League exit in a penalty shootout to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
But Guardiola was proud of his players at their ability to pick themselves up so quickly to claim a huge victory.
“The game was tight,” the City boss said. “Chelsea had incredible transitions and controlled the ball well.
“We lost some easy balls because we were tired. Players made an incredible effort.
“What they have done today was one of the greatest things I have seen in a group of players [after] 120 minutes against Madrid, [with their] physicality and the emotion.
“The day after recovery then yesterday, we just say ‘hi’ and you can’t prepare anything.”
With the quick turnaround of fixtures, the schedule was tough, particularly with our Premier League title challenge still alive.
Guardiola is determined for his side to challenge on all fronts but would have preferred the game to have been played in the Sunday slot taken by the second semi-final between Coventry and Manchester United.
“I am incredibly happy to play the semi final of the FA Cup,” he said. “The schedule is tight. I love to be in the quarter-final of Champions League.
“I don’t understand how we survived today. People cannot imagine the punch in our face, the way we were out.
“Why they don’t give us one more day for the health of the players to arrive on Sunday? Coventry, Chelsea, Manchester United, they didn’t play Champions League or Europa League in midweek.”
Preparations were difficult for the game but the squad can now look forward to another day at Wembley for a final game of the season on 25 May.
“The day after [Real we just had] recovery then yesterday, we just say ‘hi’ and you can’t prepare anything,” he added.
“Four hours from Manchester to here and play the game in these conditions.
“We are very pleased and these players showed who they are. At the end of the season, we will come back here to play the final of the FA Cup.”
