Guardiola says City exorcised demons in Real cakewalk

Pep Guardiola said that, by reaching the Champions League final in Istanbul, his players and staff had exorcised the pain from last season's Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

City hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in their second-leg tie at the Etihad to go through 5-1 on aggregate. He told BT Sport: "At home we feel incredibly comfortable with our people. I had the feeling we had one year of pain in our stomach. What happened last season, today went out.

"It was so painful last season, when people said these players lacked character and in one year we've shown again how special this group of players is.

"I say congratulations to all our organisation, our chairman, our owner, until the last person because they work with a real purpose and we are there!

"When you reach the Champions League final, you have to celebrate but unfortunately we won't have time because on Sunday we have the chance to win the Premier League.

Guardiola added that it was one of his City side's best displays and that Silva was one of the best players he had seen.

He added: "The players were outstanding. In these types of games and situations, Bernardo is always there. I've said he's one of the best players I've ever seen in my life."

When asked if City's display was one of their best during his time as manager at the club, the Spaniard added: "Yes definitely. We just had to win one game, be ourselves.

"Madrid, what a team, but we wanted to (win). We beat them two seasons ago. What happened last season happened. We didn't have the luck.

"But today we had the feeling that the people were ready. It was calm mentally, (the players) made a lot of jokes, I didn't feel tension or anxious and I had the feeling we were ready to (give) this performance."

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