We will try absolutely everything to win - De Gea.

Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, says they will try everything to win when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday 03 June at Wembley Stadium.

The English Premier League Golden Glove Award winner, who saved a penalty in Man United's last 2-1 win over Fulham during the weekend, added that for the whole year they have been working to be in a position to win titles, and they will give Saturday a full go.

"Tomorrow we recover and we start to prepare for [the final]," De Gea told MUTV.

"We know it’s a big final, a special game, and the whole year we’ve been fighting to be in the position to win titles and we will try absolutely everything to try to win."

De Gea, who has been fantastic between the sticks for United this season, is happy with the improvement the club has shown compared to the 2021/22 season.

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"The improvement is there, of course, we still have far [to go] but [it is] a massive improvement from last season.

Having already won the Carabao Cup, and managed a third place finish which takes United back to the UEFA Champions League, De Gea believes they had a great season.

He also credits United boss, Erik Ten Hag for their revival this season, who always emphasizes focus and the will to win every match.

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"Winning a cup, finishing third, it’s never easy to finish in Champions League places in England, and then we have another final, a big final – I think at the moment it is a great year.

"The manager wants us to be focused every game, to win every game.

"He was shouting before the game ‘come on guys, we have to finish properly, winning mentality."

First season in the EPL went beyond Haaland's expectations.

It can only be Haaland:

• 36 EPL goals.

• 52 goals across all competitions.

• A 29-year-old EPL goalscoring record broken in first season.

• 2023 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

Manchester City goal machine, Erling Haaland, is surprised by the success he has achieved at the Etihad in his debut season.

He said as much as he expected things to go well at City, he didn't expect them to be this good.

He was speaking after receiving his 2023 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award, which he won with a whopping 80% of the votes.

"I didn’t expect it to be this good!" Haaland told amp.mancity.com.

“I expected it to be good of course.

"To come into a team that’s been scoring many goals while winning the Premier League a lot of times – two in a row now three, I expected to do good things but to do this I didn’t quite expect.

"It’s been a fantastic season so far and I’m happy.

"I like it [in Manchester] I’m enjoying it on and off the pitch, I’m enjoying my life.

"The vibe is fantastic. I really enjoy myself. I have a lot of friends.

"We joke a lot, we enjoy it a lot in the locker room and on the pitch. I am really enjoying it and there’s so many good guys in the team."

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The 22-year-old had special praises for his boss, Pep Guardiola.

Haaland said Guardiola's achievement of  five league titles in six years is 'unreal'. And also touched on the amazing stuff he makes them do in training.

"When you win your fifth Premier League in six years it’s unreal.

"He makes things look so easy on the training ground and in the games.

"It’s crazy what he’s doing and what he makes us do and how good we can play. It’s a big honour to have him as my coach. It’s a pleasure.  

"We don’t like to focus on the future or on the past. I like to live in the moment and I like to take it game-by-game, exactly like what he said and that’s we did.

"We focused and we achieved exactly what we wanted to achieve and in the end it was unreal what we did.

"To be behind all season and in the end just come like a unit together was amazing and an amazing feeling."

Man City will play their last English Premier League game of the season on Sunday 28 May against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The game will kick-off at 17:30.

We deserved the result - De Zerbi on Man City draw.

Brighton & Hove Albion needed all but a point to make sure of their Europa League spot, and they pushed Manchester City to the limit to earn it with an exciting 1-1 draw at the Amex on Wednesday evening.

Julio Enciso scored a stunning equalizer from long range in the 38th minute to cancel Phil Foden's earlier strike, earning Brighton a well deserved result.

Brighton boss, Roberto De Zerbi, says City didn't do them any favors, they deserved their point, in what he says was one of the best games of the season.

"We didn’t receive a gift of the one point, we deserved the result. I am really proud, because I think this one of the best games of the season. It was very tough, but we played with incredible quality and courage," De Zerbi said after the match as quoted by brightonandhovealbion.com.

"The improvement of the players has been fantastic and for me it’s very satisfying. We had to respect ourselves, the club and our fans and show the courage and that we believe in ourselves to win against the best team in the world. I think we did that."

When he took over the reigns at Brighton, De Zerbi says qualifying for Europe was not in his mind.

Learning about his players and the English Premier League was his main focus.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola on the Brighton draw: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/brighton-they-destroy-other-opponents.html?m=1

But with just a game left in their season, Brighton have achieved the seemingly impossible under the Italian, qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history, while playing some brilliant football.

 "At the beginning I didn’t put my focus on the target of the Europa League. I had to analyse the players, learn about the Premier League and to understand the new country," he added.

"But step by step I started to think about our potential and in February it was clear in my head that we could fight for a big target."

Brighton, they destroy the other opponents - Guardiola.

       Image: Fabrizio Romano Facebook

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening at the Falmer Stadium.

Phil Foden put the English Premier League champions ahead in the 25th minute, before Julio Enciso equalized for Brighton with a stunner in the 38th minute.

In a game where the only stat that went City's way is ball possession, which they had 61% of, Brighton, who showed City absolutely no respect, dominated the other aspects; with 20 goal attempts to City's 13, and seven shots on target, while City had four.

Man City boss, Pep Guardiola, says Brighton destroys the other opponents with the type of football they play, and he is happy with how his side responded to their threat, by not dropping the momentum they have been keeping in the past few weeks.

"Brighton, they destroy the other opponents they have been playing. They did it in certain moments, especially the last 10 or 15 minutes, we struggled but we did really well," Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game.

"We cannot drop momentum. I didn't see it, against Chelsea I didn't see it today. During the week we have to rest, recover mentally. It's been demanding for the past six months playing Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and chasing Arsenal. The training now is just relaxed."

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Guardiola says the game was exceptional, especially considering the fact that they played 48 hours after drinking all the alcohol in Manchester.

"Exceptional game. Congratulations to Brighton for their deserved qualification to the Europa League.

"The game we played, 48 hours after we drank all the alcohol in Manchester, 48 hours later we behaved and we showed why we were the champions against that team.

"We showed what we have done with and without the ball. I didn't see one drop in our intensity and idea. They had chances, we had chances, we scored a goal, they scored a goal.

"Both teams want the ball, both teams want to press. The keepers are fundamental in this game. The quality they have, they are an exceptional team."

Haaland credits a good environment for his City success.

Erling Haaland has had a dream debut season in the English Premier League, scoring 52 goals so far for Manchester City across all competitions.

The Norwegian goal machine, City's focal point in attack this season, has credited the enabling environment, and the hunger for success from everyone around him at the club for his amazing debut season. 

"The environment allows me to be myself every day," Haaland told amp.mancity.com

"There are hungry people around me that want to become better every single day and want to help me to become better every single day.

"That is where everything starts from.

"From Pep, to the physios, to everyone, we want to help each other.

"We want to have a good time together and we want to make every single person in the club better.

"That is the most important thing.

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Haaland admits that the EPL is the toughest league in the world, but he has had an amazing journey since his Man City debut in August.

With his teammates having lifted the EPL title for two seasons in a row before he joined the club, Haaland says it was his goal to win the title as well this season.

"It has been an amazing journey, ever since my first game in August," Haaland added. 

"It is the toughest league, the most difficult league, every single game is tough.

"But we managed to win it and that is what has really been on my mind the whole season.

"All of my teammates have won it in the last few years and I wanted to do the same."

Guardiola wants City to keep going.

If Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as Brentford, think they are going to meet a Manchester City side with its foot of the pedal after wrapping up the English Premier League title last weekend, they better think again.

Man City boss, Pep Guardiola insists that he wants his charges to maintain their tone leading up to the to cup finals awaiting them.

Man City will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on 03 June, before clashing against Inter Milan for the UEFA Champions League title on the 10th of June.

"It would be better to maintain our tone," Guardiola said as quoted by amp.mancity.com.

"I’m not talking about win or lose, I want to see that our tone is there.

"We cannot play like we have won [the Premier League]. Against these two teams, if we aren’t ready we will suffer a lot. And after it would be a problem.

"But if we maintain the tone and they beat us, they beat us – it can happen."

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Guardiola expects Brighton and Brentford to raise their game against the EPL champions.

"It is understandable because they play against Manchester City, the winners in the last years of the Premier League and they want to show how good they are, that’s normal."

"The target of the Premier League is done. But we cannot drop much otherwise it will be more difficult."

City will face Brighton tonight (Wednesday 24 May) at the Falmer Stadium at 21:00.

A win or draw for City will stretch their unbeaten run in the EPL to 16 matches. 

Man City vs Brighton, a football romantic's dream.

English Premier League champions, Manchester City, will travel to Falmer Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday 24 May, with the kick-off at 21:00.

City have dominated this fixture, having won four out of their last five meetings.

But this will be a different game altogether, with both teams on cloud nine.

City go into the encounter already wearing their EPL champions crown, while Brighton are also in a celebratory mood having secured their dream Europa League spot.

Now, picture these two ball playing sides, both in a party mood, coming face-to-face, with nothing to lose, the stage is set, we can expect them to dance without fear nor care, as if the world is not watching.

Nothing but a superb football should be on display, in true Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi style.

Brighton boss, De Zerbi has pushed the boundaries a bit with the style of play he has implemented at the club, just like his counterpart, Pep Guardiola did with City, with much success.

To think that Brighton have managed to qualify for Europe, playing the way they do, which is considered to be a risky approach, is just exceptional.

The saying, 'the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward' is epitomized by teams like City and Brighton, but it is even more admirable when it is done by a team like Brighton, and successfully so, without the quality in personnel that City possesses.

Brighton play football without fear, cutting edge stuff at times, averaging 61% ball possession per match in the EPL this season, very close to Man City's 65% possession average.

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On Wednesday evening, quality might be the only difference between the two sides, with City having it in abundance.

But De Zerbi's men will play, they will definitely give it a good go, making the game worth watching.

They can even go a step further, and possibly end City's 12 match winning streak in the EPL.

My arms are ready to lift two more titles - Gundogan.

After Manchester City lifted their third English Premier League title in a row on Sunday afternoon, captain, Ilkay Gundogan said his arms are now strong enough to lift two more trophies.

Man City have the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League finals coming up against Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively.

According to Gundogan, there is no special secret to his leadership role as the Cityzens captain besides staying calm and focusing on what is important.

"I have no secrets," Gundogan told amp.mancity.com.

"Maybe my secret is to stay calm and stay patient. I focused on the important things and that is the success of the team.

"This is what we’re doing day by day. Today is special, it feels more special than previous years. Because of the atmosphere in the training ground, we’re here for each other, we fight for each other in tough periods.

"Two more finals to go, we’re looking forward to it. My arms are ready to lift two more titles."

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In 30 appearances, Gundogan contributed eight goals and five assists to City's EPL success this season.

Adaptation is what he credits his positive contribution to.

"It’s adaptation. The holding position requires different things to the offensive roles. This is what Pep [Guardiola] appreciates about me.

"I’m not special in times of giving decisive goals and assists, my qualities are in terms of bringing my teammates in the best possible situations.

"Leading them to these kind of simple situations. My football is simple, I try to make it as simple."

We have done something exceptional - Guardiola.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has described winning the English Premier League title as something exceptional.

Exceptional it is, as the Cityzens have become only the fifth English top flight side to win the league title three times in a row.

They have equaled a record set by Huddersfield Town (1924-26), Arsenal (1933-35), Liverpool (1982-84), and Manchester United (1999-2001, and 2007-09).

While the celebrations are still very much going on, Guardiola is already plotting a way to create Man City's own history, that of becoming the first ever English top flight side to win four league titles in a row.

"When we start next season, we are going to try to be the first team to win four Premier Leagues," Guardiola told amp.mancity.com.

"We don’t need decades to think about how good it was. We have the feeling we have done something exceptional."

But for now, it is the UEFA Champions League trophy that Guardiola has set his sights on, which will confirm Man City as one of the greatest teams in Europe.

"To be one of the greatest teams in Europe you have to win the Champions League otherwise maybe people will say it’s not complete," he added.

"But just in case we cannot do it against Inter or next season, what we have done is extraordinary. Everybody knows it."

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Guardiola expects a strong challenge for the title next season, which he believes will require top mental preparations if they are to defend their crown.

"The next season all the teams will want to beat us, it’s normal.

"Defending our crown, mentally we have to prepare for that. That will be the challenge.

"We are going to play with the quality that we have - and human quality. The quality will be there."

City next travel to Falmer Stadium on Wednesday 24 May to face Brighton & Hove Albion, with the kick-off at 21:00.

It’s special, I am going to enjoy this day - Haaland.

Sometimes, one forgets that Erling Haaland is only 22-years-old. His influence in the world of football is so phenomenal it surpasses his age.

But that is what the best in the beautiful game do, they make an immediate impact, and that is what Haaland has done in his first season with Manchester City, by netting a record 36 goals.

After their win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, Haaland said lifting the English Premier League title is a memory he will cherish forever.

"These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life. We’ve been fighting so hard," he told www.mancity.com.

"[I feel] unreal. I honestly don’t know what to say. You see me smiling and everything, I’m so happy!"

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While he said he will enjoy this day, and lifting the title in his debut season, the Norwegian goal machine is salivating at the prospect of featuring in the FA Cup final as well as the UEFA Champions League finale.

"It’s special. I am going to enjoy this day," he said.

"It’s a special moment with the trophy. Without the club this would not be possible. It is amazing.

"Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left, not a bad start!"

No celebrations should City win the EPL on Sunday.

Manchester City will host Chelsea on Sunday 21 May at the Etihad, with the kick-off at 17:00.

While a Man City win on Sunday is expected to spark wild celebrations following the manner in which they overtook Arsenal in the EPL title race, modest City boss, Pep Guardiola has other ideas.

Guardiola said a breakfast and a small celebration with 'our people' will be enough.

According to Pep, the big celebrations will be saved for the end of the season.

"We are satisfied to be able to play the Champions League final," said Guardiola in his press conference ahead of the game with Chelsea, as quoted by www.mancity.com

"It is non-stop and now comes the most difficult thing at the end. All the tennis players serve to win Wimbledon know it is the most difficult one.

"On Sunday, the game is in our hands to win the most important competition - the Premier League is the most important because for 11 months it’s every week."

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On celebrations...

"I don’t think so. Maybe we will do a breakfast because we have a game the day after.

"Chelsea deserve it. I would like to feel that we have to win to be champions, but we cannot control Nottingham. We have to win on Sunday.

"We will have time to celebrate at the end of the season.

"On Sunday, if we win we will celebrate with our people."

I never think it belongs to me - Guardiola on City's success.

Manchester City reached their second UEFA Champions League final in three seasons when they defeated Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday.

City are also in line to win their fifth English Premier League title in six seasons on Sunday should they beat Chelsea.

On top of that, the Cityzens have a date in the FA Cup against their homeboys, Manchester United.

With his team enjoying some great success, manager, Pep Guardiola has been showered with praises from across the globe.

While he welcomes the kudos, Pep has insisted that City's success is not his alone, but a team effort.

"As a manager, I feel part of something," he said in Friday's press conference as quoted by www.mancity.com

"I never think it belongs to me. I am part of that, I don’t deny it but without the incredible work of sporting director or board. Players are the most important thing.

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"I am part of it and I feel really proud to be here again and have it in our hands. I am part of that. I am not the only person when we lose the semi-final or final of the Champions League. I don’t feel only responsible for that."

Man City will host Chelsea on Sunday 21 May at the Etihad stadium. Kick-off is at 17:00.

Humility key to Man City's success - Guardiola.

Manchester City put on a masterclass in the art cutting edge football performance when they defeated Real Madrid to reach the UEFA Champions League final on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

Humility, is what City boss, Pep Guardiola, believes is the catalyst in his side's success.

Guardiola said because his players are so humble, they can give a 100% effort in every game, no matter the opponent.

“I always put up the example of winning four times the Carabao Cup and that shows the level,” Guardiola told www.mancity.com.

“One of the incredible details of which I am so proud is that they are so humble.

“Every game, it doesn't matter the opponent or competition, they take seriously and that is because they are so humble.

“I hate arrogance in sport and the moments when you believe something you are not.

“These guys have done it for many years and today they got the reward they deserve."

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Guardiola is wary of carrying the favorites tag when they face Inter Milan on June 10.

He said that is the worst thing that can happen.

“We have time. A final against an Italian team and people are going to talk and say they are not favourites, we are favourites, and that is the worst thing that can happen.

“But we have time to prepare and now we focus on Chelsea because we have to try to close it.”

City will turn their attention to the English Premier League this weekend.

They play Chelsea on Sunday 21 May at the Etihad Stadium, with the kick-off at 17:00.

A win will see City clinching the EPL title. 

Incredible City hammers Real 4-0.

Manchester City booked themselves a UEFA Champions League final date with Inter Milan when they made light work of Real Madrid on Wednesday evening at the Etihad Stadium.

A first half Bernardo Silva brace, 23', 37', an own goal from Eder Militao 76', and a cool finish from substitute, Julian Alvarez 90+1, saw Man City run out as 4-0 winners on the night.

If anything, it was City's almost flawless performance in the first half that left Madrid bamboozled.

With 71% of the ball, City barely allowed Real a touch on the ball, and it wasn't just possession for possession's sake, they created great chances too!

But it was Real goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who stood between his side and an embarrassing half time scoreline, by denying Erling Haaland two certain goals from close range headers, before he denied him again in the second half when Haaland was played through with a delightful back heel by Gundogan.

At 2-0, if City were playing another team, one would have said it was over, but they were playing the defending champions, and when it comes to Real, the game is over when it is over.

It wasn't surprising to hear the noise from City supporters subside in the early stages of the second half as Madrid started to see more of the ball, turning possession stats in their favor with 60% of the ball.

One almost expected them to pull a goal back and make a game of it, like they almost always do.

But soon City regained control, and started to keep the ball more around the 70th minute.

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With City looking more threatening again, Manuel Akanji did the lord's work for them, heading past Courtois, with a little deflection from Eder Militao helping the ball to the back of the net to put the game beyond Real.

Game, set, and match, or so we thought, but Julian Alvarez, from the bench, had just about enough time to show Haaland how to slot the ball past Courtois, and he did it with precision.

It was just not a good day in the office for Ancelotti's men, their seven goal attempts, and three shots on target, of which to of them came with the score already 3-0, tell a story.

City were just incredible.

And so it is done. They face Inter Milan on the 10th of June for their second go at the UCL title. 

It's a dream come true - Guardiola.

Manchester City have an opportunity to a beautiful treble this season, with the English Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles up for grabs.

And the Cityzens boss, Pep Guardiola, says the situation they are in is a dream come true.

Man City put Everton to the sword on Sunday afternoon, beating them 3-0 at Goodison Park to earn their 11th straight win.

With Arsenal having lost to Brighton, City only needs three points to win the EPL title for the third time in a row.

"It’s a dream come true being here," Guardiola told amp.mancity. com. https://mancity.com/citytv/mens/pep-guardiola-post-everton-press-conference-63819686

"At the end we might not get the trophies and people will say they are not a good team or a failure or a disaster but it’s a dream come true.

"We are the only team in Europe fighting for all competitions, (there is the) FA Cup final with United but still it’s not over, the Premier League never ends, we know it for the past with Liverpool. This season is the same.

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"Arsenal I’m pretty sure will win the two games in hand but being in the semi-final at home with our people at the second leg to try to get to the UEFA Champions League final... it’s an extraordinary achievement."

Every game is like a final now - Gundogan.

Ilkay Gundogan was the star of the show as Manchester City beat Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon to move within six points of clinching their third English Premier League title in a row.

In a game where Man City didn't create a lot of chances, with just nine goal attempts, Gundogan's brace, 37', 51' and Erling Haaland's 36th goal scored in the 39th minute saw City turning their four shots on target into three goals.

The Cityzens have now gone 22 games unbeaten across competitions.

Gundogan says every game they play now is like a final.

"It’s the end of the season now so every game is crucial. Every game is like a final now," Gundogan told City website.

"For the last three years, this place [Goodison Park] has always been very tough for us. Even more so now. We feel like this is a big win."

On his goals and the assist for Haaland.

"I felt that I was free [first goal]. Both centre-backs were focused on Erling [Haaland].

"I saw the space. The ball was a little bit behind my run. I had to adjust and somehow, I was able to take a touch, I tried my luck and it worked out perfectly."

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Gundogan is counting on their experience when it comes to intense title races to pull City through.

"We have a very experienced team. It’s not really a new situation for us, competing for the last few games of the season with someone else," 

"The margin for mistakes is very slim, we know that. I think that we were able to live these moments in the past helps us a lot.

"Sometimes, you have to stay calm and trust your abilities. Even though it was tough today in the first half, that is exactly what we did."

It doesn’t get much bigger - Akanji on UCL semi-final 2nd leg.

Manchester City will host Real Madrid in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday 17 May at the Etihad Stadium.

With the first leg having ended in a 1-1 draw, City have a slight advantage going into the second leg in Manchester.

Manchester City's Swiss defender, Manual Akanji, says they will have to bring their A-game on Wednesday evening if they are to dispose of the UCL holders, Madrid.

"It’s one game out of two," Akanji told City media after the draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We’ve got to bring our best game next week.

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"We need to defend really well and clear in our attacks. We can’t make any mistakes and be smart."

Akanji says City have been working towards such a moment from the beginning, and is looking forward to a great atmosphere at the Etihad.

"We’ve been working all season long to be in a position like this. It’s a big game - it doesn’t get much bigger.

"The atmosphere should be great - it’s a Champions League semi-final and the last game at home in the competition this season. I’m really looking forward to it."

I don’t think we saw a City side that are superior to Madrid - Carvajal.

If Real Madrid's right-back, Dani Carvajal's words are anything to go by, we can expect a pulsating 90 minutes of football at the Etihad Stadium next week when Manchester City hosts Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

The two European giants put on a great show on Tuesday when they played to a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening.

The intense action was capped with two stunning goals from Vinicius Jr and Kevin De Bruyne, plus touchline drama to match, as Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti got booked because of protesting against the legitimacy of De Bruyne's goal.

While the result meant Man City have a slight advantage going into the second leg, Carvajal thinks otherwise.

Carvajal says the City they played on Tuesday was in no way better than Real, and that if they go to the Etihad, take the chances they create, they have a shot at reaching the final.

"They have world-class players, they move the ball very well, they’re tactically very well worked – but I don’t think we saw a City side that are superior to Madrid," said Carvajal as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/dani-carvajal-real-madrid-have-nothing-to-fear-in-second-leg-at-manchester-city

"The team goes home knowing that we played well and that if we get things right, if we take our chances in Manchester, we have a chance of going through.

"We go there with nothing to fear. We have to go there to win, to play our game, and the team believes in it."

Real have every right to go to the Etihad with nothing to fear, and believing they can win.

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They are a team with enough talent, determination, steel, and tactically astute. On top of that, winning the UCL has become their core business, they know what it takes and how it is done.

A surprise it will not be if they make Man City look ordinary next week, and go on to yet another UCL final. 

Grealish, Guardiola believe City can finish Real at home.

An epic battle was expected, and the two sides did not disappoint when Real Madrid and Manchester City played to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu in a Uefa Champions League semi-final.

The breathtaking football played by the sides was matched by two rockets for goals, with Vinicius Jr finishing from the edge of the box to put Madrid ahead after a swift counterattack in the 36th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne was not to be outdone as he replied for Man City with a stunner of his own in the 67th minute to level matters.

The result has set up a mouth watering second leg encounter at the Etihad, a game that Man City winger, Jack Grealish, and manager, Pep Guardiola, believe they have every chance of winning.

"We have a new team this year, different players," Grealish told BT Sports as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/we-feel-unstoppable-at-home-jack-grealish-eyes-champions-league-final

"We've learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class.

"I think we just have quality and I've never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me.

"Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it's always difficult to play at a place like this.

"In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well."

Man City manager, Guardiola, says the return leg at home will be like a final for their supporters, and it is a game they are looking forward to.

"It was a really tight game. Congratulations to the team because this team (Real) are always so difficult for their history and also their quality.

"We started really well and when we were better they made an incredible transition (and scored).

"When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It's open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it."

While a 1-1 away draw gives City an advantage for next week's encounter, you can count on Real to put on another tactical masterclass to come out of the Etihad victorious.

On the other hand, the Uefa Champions League is one trophy Guardiola and his City side will move mountains to get their hands on, and Carlo Ancelotti's men are the mountain almost immovable when it comes to the UCL.

Whether City can do it is anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear as daylight, is another spectacle coming our way next week. 

It is done when it is done and still, it is not done - Guardiola.

Manchester City went top of the English Premier League table after a 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez saw City surpass long time log leaders, Arsenal, whom they trounced 4-1 on Wednesday 26 April.

While a lot of people believe the dream is over for Arsenal, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola says the job is not yet done, although the title is now in their hands.

"At the end of the season, fighting for the title is the best feeling that we can have and the Premier League is in our hands," said Guardiola as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/pep-guardiola-warns-man-city-not-to-destruct-as-people-say-title-race-is-over

"It doesn't matter what happens in London, at the Emirates, it depends on us."

Guardiola says City have to keep the momentum going, perform as they have been doing in the past few months.

"We must just look at ourselves, perform every single game like we've performed the last two, three, four months, do everything and we'll be closer and closer to the something exceptional.

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"We cannot deny, winning another Premier League, how exceptional it would be.

"When you have that depending on us – you can drop it because you are not good, but not because you destruct or you start to listen to the wrong messages that it is already done. It is done when it is done and still, it is not done."