A night to remember at the Etihad saw City secure a stunning 5-1 aggregate win over last year’s Champions League winners and set up the mouthwatering prospect of a final with Inter in Istanbul on June 10.
Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half with Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez also on target after the break as a rampant City more than made amends for last year’s semi-final loss to Real.
And reflecting on what was an extra special evening in Manchester which saw him chalk up his 100th Champions League win as a manager, the City boss couldn’t disguise his admiration for his players and delight for everyone associated with the Club.
And he revealed how the pain from last season’s heartbreaking loss had also inspired his players.
“These guys have done it for many years and today they got the reward they deserve. A final against an Italian team,” Pep declared.
“When the draw was Real Madrid, I said want it. Today it was there. I’m very pleased for the organisation, the chairman, owner and players.
“I had the feeling these last days we had a mix of calm and tension to play these types of games.
“After 10 or 15 minutes I had the feeling that all the pain that we had during one season last season was today there. It was so tough and hard here last season - we played quite similarly to the way we played today.
“I remember that in an interview Toni Kroos said Madrid was special because they could have been beaten 10-2 at the Etihad.
“When one of the best players in the world and one of the best I ever trained he says that then we were there. It was tough the way we lost.
“You have to swallow poison and swallow everything, be kind and football and sport always gives you another chance.
“We accept defeat and today we were there.
“Football and life always gives you an opportunity and the important thing is to never give up and try again.
“The important thing is to be there and we are one game away from being Premier League winners.
“If it happens we are three years in a row winners of the Premier League and twice in a Champions League final and one semi-final and that is consistency.”
It’s shaping up to be a sensational end of season for City with one win needed to be crowned Premier League champions for a third straight season, an FA Cup final with Manchester United to look forward to and now a Champions League final too.
But asked about the potential of what would be an incredible Treble, the boss said it was a case of taking things one game at a time.
“We’re closer. At the end in the Premier League, we are close, we need one more game,” Guardiola added.
“And when you play against neighbours and Italian teams be calm.
“Our fans were happy... this is the biggest compliment.
“The pleasure of being there and playing Inter is incalculable. We’re going to enjoy the occasion.
“We’re going to try to win - we can’t say we are going to win for definite.
“And of course, we are going to try.”
