Guardiola hails Man City players after dominant win over Real Madrid

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By Martin Graham | 18th May 2023

Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on his Manchester City players, after a dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

After a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week, many expected another tough outing at the Etihad but it was a different story after 90 minutes.

City looked like the dominant side from the onset and two goals in either half saw the English giants thump holders Real Madrid with a resounding scoreline.

That result also marked Guardiola’s 100th win in the Champions League and he will now have his eyes set on City’s first win on the European front, but they face one last hurdle in the form of Inter.

City will go into the Champions League final as favourites and Guardiola says it is the result of the hardwork from his players over the course of what has been a gruesome season.

Guardiola heaps praise on City 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 after the victory against Real Madrid.

“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.

Also in the FA Cup final, where they will take on Manchester United, City now have the chance to win an historic treble and Guardiola says his side are aiming to do just that.

“We’re closer. At the end in the Premier League, we are close, we need one more game,” he 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.”