Manchester City will face Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu. The Spanish team beat City in the last four a year ago and have a chance to make amends this term. However, Pep Guardiola has denied that revenge is his motivation as he prepares his team for the rematch.
“We are not here for revenge,” said Guardiola. “We are here to try to play a good game and do everything possible to win it.”
City will be without Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out due to injury. However, they will be boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the weekend’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace due to injury.
The first leg of their latest encounter takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday and Guardiola is focusing on the game in hand rather than looking back 12 months.
Real Madrid have won the Champions League 13 times, more than any other team in history. They are also the reigning champions, having beaten Liverpool 3-1 in last year’s final.
City have never won the competition but have reached the semi-finals twice in the past three seasons. They were beaten by Liverpool in 2018 and by Tottenham Hotspur last year.
Guardiola has won the Champions League twice before as a manager, with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. He has also reached the final with Bayern Munich in 2013 and 2015 but lost on both occasions.
The second leg of City’s semi-final against Real Madrid takes place at the Etihad Stadium on May 4.
