Pep Guardiola was delighted with how his Manchester City team advanced to their first Champions League final on Tuesday – and now hopes to smile on fate and his army in the decoder.
The Premier League leaders raced to the comfortable winners in their semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium, taking a 2–1 lead in the first leg.
Riyad Mahrez netted the goals of both hosts as they won 4–1 overall against the French side, which ended with 10 men when Angel Di Maria saw red in the second half.
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“This is for all of us and the club. I am incredibly proud and my first thoughts are with the players who did not play today, ”said Guardiola BT Sport After the last whistle. He said, “They all deserved to play, everybody has contributed and now it’s time to enjoy. We have to win the league and we have two or three weeks to prepare for the finals.
“People believe that it is easy to reach the final of the Champions League. Now it makes sense to reach the final what we have done in the last four or five years. Every day these people have been consistent and it is remarkable.
“We scored a goal through the hips in the first game, and today Marquinhos hit the bar in the first half – you may be out for less details.
United won a title due to a slip by John Terry and Bayern Munich and Real won the title against Atlético in the 93rd minute. This is a competition that is so tough and the stars have something to add to it. “
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While the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea has ruined City’s chances of getting stung in 2020-21, the treble is still a different possibility.
Guardiola’s men defeated Tottenham to retain the Carabao Cup in April and could wrap up the Premier League title with a win over Chelsea this Saturday.
They will now have to wait to find out the identity of their rivals in the Champions League final of May 29, with Real Madrid and Chelsea colliding at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to draw the first leg 1–1.
Guardiola meanwhile returned to the showpiece fixture for the first time since 2011, when his Barcelona team landed Manchester United to take the crown.
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