Manchester City inspired by pain of heartbreak — Pep Guardiola

Guardiola’s men crushed Madrid with a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night to win 5-1 on aggregate via two goals from Bernardo Silva, another from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez. 

Last season, City led Real 5-3 on aggregate going into the 89th minute before two Rodrygo goals forced extra time. Karim Benzema then scored a penalty to take Real through and cause City heartbreak.

“We had to swallow the poison,” said Guardiola. “All the pain we had in one year, for one season, was there today.

 I have a feeling that for one year we had a fear in our stomach about what happened last season but today we went out with everything we had.

“Last season was so painful and people say it was a lack of character from the players but one year later we show just how special these players are.”

Man City will face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10.