Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could not hide his delight as his side reached the Champions League semi-final for the third consecutive campaign.
The Cityzens secured a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena after Joshua Kimmich’s late penalty cancelled out Erling Braut Haaland’s second-half opener.
However, the result was enough for Guardiola’s side to secure safe passage to the last four, having recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City have now qualified for the semi-final of Europe’s most prestigious tournament three times in a row, and the English champions fancy their chances of finally grasping the elusive trophy.
“I’m so happy for three years in a row to be in the Champions League semi-finals,” Guardiola said in his post-match conference (via Mancity.com).
“To be honest, the result of 4-1 doesn’t show what was really in the two games from my point of view.
“I couldn’t expect anything different knowing how good they are, the physicality and ideas of Bayern Munich. I was impressed when I lived with them, and I was impressed when I play against them.
“But in this competition, it’s the details. Last season in the semi-final of the Champions League, we lived the opposite part, and in the right moments in these two games, we were there.”
Guardiola’s side will face familiar foes and reigning European champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals after Los Blancos beat Chelsea 4-0 on aggregate in the previous round.
It will be the second time in a row both sides will clash in the Champions League last four, with Madrid knocking Man City out following a dramatic late comeback last season.
Man City will be wary of the threats Carlo Ancelotti’s men pose with the Spanish champions gunning for their record 15th Champions League triumph.
The Cityzens will travel to the Spanish capital to face Los Blancos at Santiago Bernabeu in the semi-final first-leg encounter on May 9.
But for now, they will switch their attention to their FA Cup semi-final clash against Sheffield United at the weekend, looking to keep their treble hopes alive.
