Manchester City Against Real Madrid In The Champions League Semifinals, Pep Guardiola: We Did Not Come For Revenge

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Photo: Twitter @ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will escort his team to Real Madrid's home in the first leg of the 2022/2023 Champions League semifinals, Wednesday, May 10 in the morning WIB. Ahead of the meeting, Guardiola was reluctant to feel the moment was a means of revenge.

Previously City had been eliminated by Madrid in last season's Champions League semi-finals. At that time at Madrid headquarters, City had to admit the hosts' lead 3-1 in the second leg.

The defeat in the extra time also ended The Citizens' move in Europe. The Premier League champion last season was eliminated after losing 6-5 on aggregate.

Deja vu then appeared in the same competition in the 2022/2023 season, Madrid and City met again at a similar moment, namely the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Although this could be a moment for The Citizens to take revenge, it turns out that this goal is not on Guardiola's list.

The Spanish manager assessed that instead of bringing a mission of revenge, a visit to Madrid headquarters would be better if it was used as the latest opportunity to survive in the Champions League.

'We didn't come here for revenge. We're just trying to take another chance (to be able to advance to the Champions League final)," Guardiola was quoted as saying by the BBC on Tuesday, May 9.

"What happened in the past has happened. It is a big mistake if we consider this match a means of revenge," he continued.

Apart from that, Guardiola is still taking lessons from the duel that occurred last season. The coach hopes that the results of the evaluation of his last appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu can bring The Citizens to keep the opportunity to qualify for the final in the second leg, to be precise when appearing at the Etihad Stadium.

According to Guardiola, the second leg that will be undertaken at headquarters can later determine the steps of The Citizens to the final. Unlike last season when they played the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, City began their steps in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals this season at home to opponents.

"The difference this season (compared last season) is that the second match will be held at our home. I don't know if this is an advantage for us. However, I think the match at the Etihad Stadium will determine the ticket to the final," said Guardiola.