Tonight’s UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City will be a huge game for so many reasons. It promises to be a special occasion, with at least 30 world-class players involved and at least 180 minutes of action. But as much as City players would like to pay Madrid back for last season’s loss – Pep Guardiola advises them to forget it.Pep will win the Champions League – the curse is lifted!The Catalan coach warned his boys that seeking revenge would be a “huge mistake” despite everyone associated with the club still in pain because of last year’s shocking exit at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The English team was two goals ahead by the 180th minute, but then – disaster struck. Two late goals from Rodrygo and the extra-time winner from Karim Benzema completed one of the craziest comebacks in recent years. Real Madrid went on to win the tournament, while the Cityzens were made to wait for another chance to finally make the final. And the heavens wanted the same two teams to fight for a place in the final again.One question in and Rodri’s already mentioned the word “revenge”. pic.twitter.com/lgZRkicZfz— City Report (@cityreport_) May 8, 2023 Speaking ahead of the first leg in the Spanish capital, City midfielder Rodri uttered the “R-word”.”We will have the chance for revenge. We have the philosophy you can learn from past experiences. We had two great games, but we didn’t go through. We are here to fight again with the desire to do our best. We can learn about what we can improve and what we did badly last year.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7244847##Former Barcelona and Bayern coach Guardiola said the only way to look at the game is by trying to play the best you can and not wasting any energy trying to wreak revenge on anyone.”That would be a huge mistake. We are not here for revenge. When you win, it is because you deserve it. I’m not saying we were not a proper team, we did more than everything to reach the final, but it is football – it is not enough. Hopefully, we can learn and be better. The lesson we can learn from last season is not to take revenge but learn what happened last season.”UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUESemi-final, first legTuesday22.00: (3.15) Real Madrid (3.50) Man.City (2.35)Wednesday22.00: (3.05) Milan (3.20) Inter (2.60)***odds are subject to change
