Pep Guardiola delivers passionate Man City praise but he hasn't forgotten his major FA Cup gripe

Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City's win over Chelsea as one of the greatest he has seen after the lack of time they had to recover from their Champions League heartbreak.

City were sent tumbling out of European competition on penalties in midweek as Real Madrid emerged triumphant following two hours of gruelling action at the Etihad. Guardiola had already fumed about being asked to play their FA Cup final on the Saturday weeks before the game, but saved most of his ire for after their 1-0 win.

After unloading on the BBC with his feelings about the decision to make City play on Saturday rather than Sunday despite them being the only team that were involved in midweek, Guardiola let rip again in his press conference. Because of the 'unacceptable' situation, Guardiola declared it one of the best performances he had seen.

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"I have to repeat everything again? Listen, I'm incredibly happy to play the semi-finals of the FA Cup. I love to be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League," he said. "I love to be here but I don't understand.

"It's for the health of the players, for the spectacle. I don't understand how we survived today. People cannot imagine what a punch in the face to be out of the Champions League in the way we are out. Why not give us one more day for the health of the players to arrive on Sunday?

"Coventry, Chelsea and United don't play in the Champions League, they don't play in the Europa League. For broadcasters ? Ok. Don't ask me after to do extra things because we won't do it.

"It's unacceptable to play today. We played in incredibly difficult