Pep Guardiola exclusive: Manchester City boss admits ‘relief’ of UEFA Champions League success – ‘We are so proud’

Pep Guardiola has revealed the “relief” of finally getting his hands on the UEFA Champions League trophy at Manchester City last season.

“There is a sense of relief I would say,” he told TNT Sports.

“Every time we come here [I get asked] if we’re going to win the Champions League, or that we have to win it. So since the season started, they didn’t ask me again and again.

“I always said and people don’t believe me, I think the Premier League or the domestic league title are the more difficult ones because it is 38 fixtures and being there every single day, and especially the contenders we have this season.

“But this competition, Europe. To be crowned and be champions of Europe, we are so, so proud.”

Despite ending their wait for a UEFA Champions League medal under Guardiola last year, the Man City boss feels the club are still new to Europe in the grand scheme of things.

“Relax as much as possible, don’t talk much, strategy and be courageous,” Guardiola replied when asked how he prepares for blockbuster games, such as Tuesday night at Bernabeu.

“You have to be brave to play in these types of stadiums. [It is] an experience, a new chance to improve to play these types of games.

“As I said before, it is a little bit more than one decade [that] Manchester City have been flying around Europe, and one decade in perspective of Europe is not much. Every time we play this type of event we get experience.

“The club learns, I learn, the players learn and we can know better.”

Guardiola is now only one UEFA Champions League title behind Madrid manager Ancelotti after claiming Europe’s most prestigious prize at Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 in addition to his triumph at City.

“He’s an exceptional person, we have a good relationship,” Guardiola told TNT Sports of the pair’s relationship.

“We don’t see each other much. He’s more experienced than me, he’s a little bit older! He’s been in many leagues where he’s had success. How he makes his teams work and all the success [shows] how good he is.”

On whether he aims to emulate the legendary manager, Guardiola added: “I don’t complain. If I have to retire tomorrow and go home, I could not [have] expected the career I had so far.

“I’ve accomplished everything I dreamed of. I think it would be incorrect to ask more of my life and my career.”

Rodri was the hero that night in Istanbul, with his thunderous strike – the only goal of the game – etching Man City’s name into the European history books for eternity.

Ahead of Tuesday’s match, the midfielder told TNT Sports “it means a lot” to be the defending champions heading into the latter stages of the competition.

“I remember last season before we won any trophy, I said my biggest concern about this year is not only winning because we won the trophy, but what we can do after that and the legacy [we have] and how other teams look at you when you win. It’s different,” he explained.

“This is something we have now, this mentality. This is something that reflects to the opponents. I hope this helps us in the weak moments in the game, there are moments when we will feel the pressure.

“This is what Real Madrid have done very well in the last few seasons. This is something we want to copy because now we’re the champions and this is the way we have to go.”

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Real Madrid v Manchester City will be live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage from 19:00 UK time on Tuesday, April 9.