Guardiola: “At 0-3 the ball burns for some; not for them…”

Pep Guardiola addressed the media before the first leg of the semi-finals between his team, Manchester City, and Real Madrid (9:00 pm). The Etihad Stadium will be the scene of a new duel between the ‘blue sky’ team and Ancelotti’s team, which has been highly praised by the coach. “His quality is no coincidence,” the Spaniard acknowledged.

How the battle with Liverpool affects: “We are in the semifinals and we have arrived as we have arrived. We are with teams that have always been in history. We are arriving”.

about the fans: “I’m sure the fans will support us unconditionally and we’ll do everything we can, especially in the Champions League”.

team confidence: “In this competition, the matches against Madrid are very even. It’s a process and I’ve always had the same feeling: how good it is to be here. We have to try ourselves and make two exceptional matches. It goes without saying how we respect the Real Madrid. It’s an honour. I’m never going to underestimate what they’ve done.”

The status of the players: “I have to wait for training. But I think that if you have to play with players in unusual positions, they will do very well. Stones and Walker are doubts. Tomorrow we will make the decision.”

Benzema, as the main danger: “In the second leg against Atlético they were better. Benzema obviously scores a lot of goals, not only against Chelsea and he is a danger.”

Mental barrier for City in Champions: “We have to play against their history. They are better at that. We want to try and it is an incredible test. We will have to suffer, when it comes down to it. The same as if we played against Barcelona or Bayern.”

The expectations: “Winning the Premier League is a success, but we are Manchester City and we have to play fantastically, win everything. It’s difficult because everyone wants to be well”

Differences with Madrid: “The history is there. We play against players who have been in these situations and beyond, reaching finals and winning them many times. We lack that. But maybe they have problems that we don’t. We have to handle the pressure. We try to be at their level. We are learning.”

Mission accomplished with City: “As a coach, personally, I will never reach the goal. There will always be more goals to meet. I will be somewhere else in the future and I will have to meet expectations as well.”

What it would mean to eliminate Madrid: “They’ve been here many, many times. To be in the semi-finals twice in a row is a success for City. That’s why I’ve told the players to enjoy themselves. You never know if you’re going to get back to this level.”

What he likes most about Ancelotti’s Madrid. “Many things. I’ve always liked Real Madrid, ever since I played football. The quality they have is no coincidence. It’s not luck.”

Guardiola’s positive balance of victories with Madrid: “You just have to beat Madrid’s talent with more talent.”

Analysis of the white team: “There are many players from Zidane’s time as coach. I’ve seen players with a lot of poise lately. What I like the most is that with difficulty there are players who take a step forward. It’s the greatest learning for us. There are plays that They surprise me because the ball doesn’t burn them. It’s their value”.

The war of styles: “I have no opinion on this debate.”