Man City want to build more history after reaching Champions League semi-final, says Guardiola

The quadruple is still on.

City are on course to win the Premier League, are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and will contest the Carabao Cup final later this month. Manager Pep Guardiola has called their achievements “incredible” as they try to create history by winning all four trophies in a season.

After knocking out Dortmund, Ilkay Gundogan said that City had “proved they are ready to fight for the semi-finals”, Guardiola spoke of them “building history” and City fan and former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher simply tweeted one of his ex-band’s lyrics: “I said maybeeeeeeeeeeeeee”.

BBC Sport picks through the best reaction from players, pundits and more to capture the mood surrounding Manchester City’s superb victory.

‘It is not history, but we start to build it’
“I am incredibly happy for this club, for this chairman and for the fans, everyone,” Guardiola told BT Sport after seeing his side seal reach the Champions League semi-finals for only the second time.

It is the first they will play in under Guardiola, having lost to Real Madrid in Manuel Pellegrini’s final season in charge in 2015-16.

“It is the second time in the semi-finals, so it is not history in the club, but we start to build it,” continued Guardiola, whose side flirted with elimination on away goals after Jude Bellingham’s opener on Wednesday, before sealing the tie through a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Phil Foden’s finish.

“We were brilliant, except for the first 10 minutes where they were good.

“I’m incredibly happy to be in the semi-finals, to be one of the best four teams in Europe, to be against big, strong teams and we will try to be good.”

He added: “Now, I don’t want to think for one second about PSG. I want to celebrate. Dinner with the staff and the team. I don’t know which wine, it will be a good wine for sure.”

Midfielder Gundogan continued on the theme, saying: “It means a lot to be honest, this club and this team deserve it. We are grateful for being in a great competition and reaching the semi-finals for the first time with this team.

“Today once again we showed character. We didn’t play well at all in the first 15 minutes, we struggled and we weren’t brave enough and were scared to lose something.

“We know how tough this competition is. In every single game, the opponents are so difficult, everyone has quality and this Dortmund team has quality and can beat anyone.

“It was about staying in the game, playing with attitude and personality especially at this stage of the competition. We proved we were ready to fight for the semi-finals.”

On City’s desire to win the Champions League this season, he added: “No-one wants to let this competition go. I guess if you ask Dortmund players, they feel the same. Everyone wants to succeed in this competition, that’s why it is harder, everyone wants to win and be successful.

“But if you have the right attitude, with quality in the squad and with the right ideas, then the chances of success are high.”

Agencies