A nonplussed Pep Guardiola hit back at a claim from a reporter that everyone believed Manchester City would blow Real Madrid to smithereens after the two sides drew 1-1 at their Champions League semifinal first leg encounter.
Post-match, after a closely-contested 1-1 draw, Guardiola was startled to hear a reporter suggest that ‘everyone’ thought his side would ‘destroy’ their opponents at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Everyone thought we would see City destroy Real Madrid,” claimed the reporter for beIN SPORTS, which instantly prompted Guardiola to react:
“Who’s everyone? Do you know who we are playing against?
“Do you know how many Champions League titles they [Real Madrid] have? It’s not my fault you thought we would win 6-0.”
Los Blancos are staying focused as they stay in hot pursuit of their 15th Champions League crown this season after wresting the coveted trophy again last year. Last night’s match saw them surge into the lead courtesy of a magnificent, thunderous strike from Vinicius Junior. Unfortunately the Los Madridistas were unable to hold on to that slender margin as an unwavering Kevin De Bruyne brought City level with an equally stellar goal of his own.
The two sides will square up again next week at the Etihad Stadium with a place in the final up for grabs.