Manchester City will play the first leg of the semi-final against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at 11 p.m. Abu Dhabi time.
Guardiola appeared unhappy with the statement from midfielder Rodri, who told the Santiago Bernabeu press conference that he was looking forward to an ‘opportunity for revenge’ from Real Madrid.
Guardiola told a press conference: “To think that we are here for revenge is a huge mistake, we are not here for this goal. We have to treat it as another opportunity to reach the final. We are here to get a good result because everything will be decided in Manchester, not here.”
He added: “What happened last season is in the past, it’s over. It’s another chance, nothing else. We bring the mentality of trying again, realizing that for achieve the goal, we have to be better,” according to Reuters.
“The best lesson we can take from last season is that we are not here to get revenge, but rather to get a good result.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke earlier on Monday about the importance of getting the mental edge ahead of the second leg. But Guardiola showed his disagreement with his Italian counterpart.
“Last year we came here with a big mental advantage after winning the first leg, and look what happened,” Guardiola said when asked about Ancelotti’s remarks.
He added: “Ferlan Mendy saved a ball from the goal line and what happened is a thing of the past. These are the details that determine qualification for the final. Maybe we should have played the ball differently, maybe we should have been more concerned with possession of the ball. I don’t know.” .
“We have to perform well in both games, otherwise it will be very difficult.”
And after beating Real 4-3 in the thrilling first leg in Manchester last year, the Spanish giants came back in the second leg to win 3-1 in extra time and progress to the final.
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