Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his “legacy is exceptional” as he prepares for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.
Guardiola has won two Champions Leagues as a manager, with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
“I have been here many times,” he said.
“My legacy is exceptional already. I have told the players to enjoy the moment – we are incredibly lucky to be here.
“It’s in our hands, it depends on us, we don’t have to do something exceptional – just win one game to reach the final.
“I have an incredible feeling about them. Whatever happens – thank you so much to them for bringing me and the City fans here again.”
The winners will face Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday, 10 June, after the Italian side beat fierce rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate to reach the final for the first time in 13 years.
Statisticians Opta give Manchester City, who are unbeaten in 22 games, a 69% chance of reaching the final and 45% chance of winning the tournament, making them favourites.
They say Real have a 15% chance of becoming European champions for an unprecedented 15th time.
City are one win away from the Premier League title – which would be their fifth in six years – and face Manchester United in the FA Cup final. They are looking to match United’s league, cup and Champions League Treble of 1999.
Guardiola, who won the Treble with Barcelona in 2008-09, got City to the Champions League final two years ago where they lost to Chelsea.
Last year they lost 6-5 on aggregate after extra time in the semi-finals to Real Madrid having led by two goals in the 90th minute.
“I said when I signed the contract seven years ago, they didn’t tell me to win the Champions League. All the people said the reason why they brought me here with my staff was to do the best possible,” Guardiola said.
“But of course, we cannot deny we have won all the titles except this one. Of course we want it. It is another opportunity from two seasons ago when we lost the final against Chelsea, against Madrid the season before. Of course we want it with all the desire.
“People say we are close enough, I think we are far away.
“It’s a dream come true to be here. Nobody in the future can guarantee we will be here. Nobody can assure us. So once we are there, let’s go. With our people, I am pretty sure will do it.”
Real are playing an English team for a sixth Champions League knockout tie in a row, beating Liverpool in last year’s final after knocking out Chelsea and City, while this season they have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea.
City defender Nathan Ake is the only absentee for either side.
Madrid defender Eder Militao is available after being suspended for the first leg, as is Eduardo Camavinga, despite sustaining a knee injury at the weekend.
‘We do our best in difficult situations’ – Ancelotti
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he is “full of hope” that his side can overcome Manchester City at Etihad Stadium to reach the Champions League final for the sixth time in 10 years.
The Italian boss has won the competition four times – twice each with AC Milan and Real Madrid – and is confident his reigning European champions will rise to the occasion once again on Wednesday.
“We are close to doing something important. We are full of hope, motivated. It is going to be tough tomorrow but sometimes we get the most out of ourselves in difficult situations,” Ancelotti said.
“The plan is the same as ever, to try and get as much out of the players [as possible]. I think we can do better than we did in the first leg, but I think they do too.
“Today, I am calm and full of hope. Matchday is the day when the worries come in. You think things through, whether [Erling] Haaland is going to score, or [Kevin] De Bruyne is going to hurt you. It is about managing your head.
“The match is unpredictable. If you think you are the best team in the world, it doesn’t mean you are 100% sure to win. It is not just about quality, it is about personality and mentality.”
