Pep Guardiola Is Nervous About Man City Meeting Real Madrid In The Champions League Semifinals

JAKARTA Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola started to get nervous after his team was confirmed to meet Real Madrid in the semifinals of the European Champions League for the 2022/2023 season.

City stepped into the semifinals of the highest event between European clubs after drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich in the second leg, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The British giant qualified with a 4-1 aggregate advantage.

"I have a feeling that we will meet them [Real Madrid]. All clubs know that if you want to win the Champions League [Europe], you have to beat Real Madrid," said Guardiola, reported by BBC Sport.

Before City went to the semifinals, Madrid had already confirmed their escape. The defending champion qualified after stopping another British representative, Chelsea, on a 4-0 aggregate.

The Madrid and City meeting in the semifinals is the second time in a row. Last year, Los Blancos went to the final after defeating Pep Guardiola's team with a thin aggregate of 6-5.

City midfielder Bernardo Silva said meeting this season could be an opportunity for his team to avenge last season's defeat. He said his team was confident they could do that.

"Hopefully! We will definitely take revenge. We are always after that. We feel this team is very, very confident at the moment. I think we will step into the final," he said.

Madrid are currently chasing the 15th title of Europe's most prestigious event after their 14th trophy lifted last season after beating Liverpool in last season's final.

Meanwhile, City are currently still curious to find their first trophy. They almost got it for the 2020/2021 season, but that opportunity was lost after losing to Chelsea in the final match.