'We got rid of the pain of last year'published at 22:59 British Summer Time 17 May 2023
FT: Man City 4-0 Real Madrid (Agg: 5-1)
Manchester City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BT Sport: "At home we feel incredible comfort with our people.
"I had the feeling that we had one year being in our stomach what happened last season. I think today everything went out of what we had, it was so painful last season [losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League]. When the people say lack of character in these players but during one year we showed how special a group of players these are.
"When you reach the final of the Champions League you have to celebrate. Unfortunately we won't have time because Sunday we can win the Premier League. Tomorrow will be with our families then prepare for Sunday.
"The players were outstanding. In this type of stages, in these types of games Bernardo is always there. He is one of the best players I have seen in my life.
"We didn't have to come back from 3-1 down, we just needed to win one game, be ourselves. Madrid is, my god what a team, last season was what happened, happened. We were not lucky enough to win it but today from minute one we had the feeling the people were ready. It was calm, they made a lot of jokes these days so I didn't feel any tension or anxiousness. I felt we were ready today to do a performance.
"A final against an Italian team is not the best gift, honestly. They are competitive. This victory will get a lot of compliments but we have time to prepare mentally."