Manchester City thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the return leg of the Champions League semi-final yesterday, 17 May. Here are the post-match comments of the coaches to the official UEFA website.
Josep Guardiola. Photo: gettyimages.comJosep Guardiola, Manchester City head coach: "We were still in pain from last year's defeat. When we were drawn against Real Madrid, I said: "Yes, I want that." I think today was everything, and especially the energy we got from the criticism for our lack of character after the away loss to Real Madrid.
Today we managed everything and I am happy for the whole club - the president, the owner, the management and especially for all the players - because we accepted that defeat and today we won. It's been a year and we are in the Champions League final. Football and life always give you a chance if you don't give up. The players can already start to think about the treble, to represent it. We have three games left in each tournament."
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid head coach: "The opponent played better and deserved to win. He put a lot of pressure on us at the beginning of the game and it worked. It was difficult for us to start the attacks and he managed to take the lead. After that, it was hard for us to get back into the game. We tried in the second half but it did not work.
There is no point in assessing the game now. It hurts to lose like that, very much, but it happens. You reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, meet a strong opponent, lose the game and remain without a final. That's all right, you have to learn your lesson and perform better in the next draw.
I congratulated Guardiola after the match because his team was better. Last year we managed to beat them, this year it's their turn. That's the way football works: sometimes you lose.
