Pep Guardiola has insisted that his Manchester City side are "not here for revenge" against Real Madrid ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Citizens were eliminated by Los Blancos 6-5 on aggregate after extra time at this stage of last season's tournament courtesy of a historic comeback from the Spanish giants.
Guardiola's side were leading 1-0 in the second leg and 5-3 on aggregate heading into the 90th minute before two goals from substitute Rodrygo restored parity for Real Madrid in dramatic fashion, and Karim Benzema then netted a match-winning extra-time penalty to send the Citizens packing.
Man City midfielder Rodri played in that heartbreaking defeat and the Spaniard acknowledged at a pre-match press conference on Monday that he will be seeking revenge against the Champions League holders.
"I think football gives you the option for revenge," the former Athletic Madrid man told reporters. "You can always learn from past experiences. We are here again to fight again with motivation. We are doing very good this year.
© Reuters
"Football is like this sometimes. We did 180 minutes brilliantly but it is not enough sometimes. The last minutes in that leg we did not handle in the right way. It is something we have learned from but I don't like to talk about the past. We have changed a lot of things. With the hunger of revenge."
However, Guardiola has played down Rodri's revenge claims and insists that his side are 'encouraged' to come away with the best possible result ahead of next week's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
"[Last season's result was] tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game [in Madrid]," said Guardiola.
"In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here.
"We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it.
"It didn't happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do."
© Reuters
Guardiola is confident that Man City will soon get their hands on their first-ever Champions League trophy and has stressed the importance of the club's improvement in the competition over the years.
"Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was [like] the end of the world but here we are again," Guardiola added.
"Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year. The Premier League is so difficult to qualify for the Champions League.
"I have the feeling that after the first Premier League we wanted the Champions League. In two games we are trying to do a good one and that is what we have to do.
"We were prepared last year too. [I am] the same manager, mainly the same players but completely different games. The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester."
Man City, who will be without injured defender Nathan Ake on Tuesday, have lost two of their previous three Champions League semi-finals, both of which against Real Madrid including the aforementioned loss last season and a slender 1-0 aggregate defeat under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015-16.
Oliver Thomas
