Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims seeking revenge against Real Madrid would be a grave error ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday evening.

Instead of seeking revenge against Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning champions for knocking them out at the same stage last year, the City coach stated that his team would try to capitalise on a “opportunity.”

The former Barcelona player and manager was at odds with City’s defensive midfielder Rodri, who stated that the team was hungry for revenge against the record 14-time champions at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

“It will be a huge mistake, we’re not here for revenge, just an opportunity,” Guardiola told a news conference.

“Last season we did everything, more than everything to reach the final, but (in) football… it’s not enough.”

City has never won the trophy, whereas Madrid has won it five times over the past nine seasons.

Last season, Guardiola’s side defeated Madrid 4-3 in the first leg and led 1-0 in the second leg before two late Rodrygo Goes goals forced extra time.

Karim Benzema’s penalty kick in extra time advanced Madrid to the Paris final, where they defeated Liverpool.

“I think we did 180 minutes brilliantly but it’s not enough sometimes, you can lose the leg in five minutes,” said Spanish midfielder Rodri.

“You have to kill the opponent when you can. We’ve learnt from the past but I don’t like to talk about the past.

“We’ve learnt a lot, it’s another year, another goal, with the hunger of having revenge.”

Guardiola concurred with Rodri that City performed admirably in both ties last season, despite elimination.

“We had an exceptional first game in Manchester, we did a really good game here,” said Guardiola.

“All we can do is congratulate them and move forward. One year later, we are here.”

The coach stated that he believed his team would one day triumph in Europe, despite their loss to Chelsea in the 2021 final.

Guardiola praised his club’s consistency in contrast to other teams that achieve success but then decline in subsequent seasons.

City have reached the quarterfinals in each of the last six seasons.

“One day we will reach the final and we will win it,” said Guardiola.

“I wouldn’t like to win the Champions League and then go down and down and down.

“Being stable is the most important things as a club, Madrid are an example.”

Despite his long-standing rivalry with Los Blancos, which reached a bitter zenith during Jose Mourinho’s tenure as Madrid manager from 2010 to 2013, Guardiola acknowledged their European success.

“To win this competition you have to beat the best team, and Madrid are the best team in this competition in the last decade,” he added.

Photo by EPA/Borja Sanchez Trillo