Pep Guardiola before the semi-finals: I didn't ask Xavi for advice

• Soccer

Real Madrid and Manchester City will play the second match of the semifinals of the Champions League, which can decide a lot. A few weeks ago, Barcelona beat Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, and many are wondering if Guardiola asked Xavi for advice: I didn't watch the whole El Clásico, just a preview of the match.

And there weren’t too many reasons for that either, because Karim Benzema didn’t play. In addition, Carlo Ancelotti did something in the derby that he usually does not do when it comes to the position of Luka Modrić (he played him as false 9).

What happened then is not a reference point. I have a great relationship with Xavi, however, the Barcelona coach has his players, some others are available to me and we did not talk about the last El Clásico," Guardiola explained.

Guardiola on his team

Guardiola expects his team to remain at the top level if they want to match Real Madrid. They will have to give the maximum because everything else can be fatal for them. "No no. We are happy to have won.

Only, in order to knock out Real, we have to be at the same level in both matches. It is not enough just to celebrate seven days ago. We will probably have to play better than at the Etihad, however, we may pass if the level of our game is below what was shown in the first game.

Sometimes you get what you didn’t deserve, sometimes you don’t get what belongs to you. All I know is that we have to play extremely well to get through. " Carlo Ancelotti won the title with Real Madrid, and Guardiola praised the success of this Italian and his way of working.

"I have already congratulated Carlo Ancelotti. And that last week. I admire him, he is recognizable in the world of football." In the end, Pep Guardiola's team was eliminated and no one could have expected such an outcome at the end of the match.

Carlo Ancelotti has once again shown his greatness and how good a coach he is. Real Madrid is a big club that will play Liverpool in the final, and it will be a replay of the already seen final. We can expect a real spectacle because we are waiting for two top teams that are at the top of European football.

We still can't say who is the favorite, but we know that everyone will give their best, especially Liverpool, who have a motive to avenge that defeat in the final.