Pep Guardiola admits he "aged 10 years" during emotionally draining Bayern win
Pep Guardiola said he was left “emotionally destroyed” after Manchester City 's emphatic Champions League victory.
City put one foot in the semi-finals with goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaaland – who claimed his 45 th of the season. Guardiola's side showed five-time European champions Bayern no mercy as they continued their quest for the Treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
After the win, Guardiola said: “It was not comfortable. I'm emotionally destroyed. I've aged 10 more years today. It was such a demanding game. Now I have to relax, a day off for the guys, then prepare for Leicester.
“I knew exactly what we had to do. If you don't perform really well, Bayern are able to score one, two or three. I know that. The players know that. It's an incredible result, but we have to play our game with a huge, huge personality over there.
“I had the feeling we would have our chances and at our stadium we can do special things. I know what this win means, but we're going there to score goals and to try to win the game.”
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Haaland became the first Premier League player to score 45 goals in all competitions in a single season, moving clear of former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. But Guardiola reserved special praise for his defence and said: “I had the feeling these four guys at the back, they were incredible, so stable.
Pep Guardiola during Man City's win against Bayern Munich (Getty Images)Who was your man-of-the-match in Man City's win over Bayern Munich? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“They were there again and that’s so important.”
Victory was sweet revenge for Guardiola over Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea to victory over City in the 2021 Champions League final. Tuchel said: "I don't think it's a deserved result. It doesn't tell the story of the match. We played with personality, courage and the right attitude. But we didn't get the rewards we deserved.
"It's a huge, huge task to turn this around, but we will not give up. It will not be over until we're in the shower."
Man City head to the Allianz in a commanding position, but now must revert focus back to the Premier League and their desperate attempt to reel in league leaders Arsenal.
They take on Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening in what will be Dean Smith's first match in charge of the Foxes. Guardiola's side currently sit six points behind current the Gunners, but with a game in hand and a fixture against their title rivals, City still have their destiny in their own hands.
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