Man City coach Pep Guardiola: We play for Erling Haaland

The coach said he tries to get the striker fed in matches

Pep Guardiola returns to the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League semi-finals, but this time he has Erling Haaland. Without a doubt, the presence of the Norwegian striker conditions the style of play of the English team and the man from Santpedor had no qualms in recognising this.

"I've always liked the way the team plays and this time, too. Using the long ball with Haaland is an advantage, how can you not take advantage of it if you have a player like him," asked Guardiola. "The idea is to play better than the opposition and win the game.

Earlier, speaking to Movistar, Guardiola had said of the striker: "Erling has had an impact not only for us, but also abroad. He's a gem of a lad, exceptional, cheerful and obviously he's given us a lot. I hope he continues to do so in the future.

Of Real Madrid, he warned that it is not just Vinicius, but above all "his associative ability" and of the departures of Militao and Aké, one on each side, he stressed: "We both have substitutes, I'm not thinking too much" about which team will suffer more.

Guardiola was keen to emphasise the "stability" of having gone far in the Champions League in recent years, even if they have not been able to win it. "Seven years ago, when we arrived, we thought we were going to win it and every year it has been like that. What happened happened happened, but the important thing is to always be there. I don't want to win the Champions League and then disappear" from the football scene.

As could not be otherwise, the memory of last season was very present in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu. "We came close, we played a more than exceptional game in Manchester and a very good one in Madrid, but the margin of being in the final or not is very narrow," said the former player from Sanpedor, aware that to eliminate Real Madrid, "you have to put in a hell of a performance in both games. Hopefully we can play like we did last year, but I don't think it's going to happen."

Of his opponent, he particularly valued "their experience and experience" and admitted that playing the second leg in Manchester could be beneficial because "if there is extra time, it's better if it's at home, it also helps in the last few minutes", although he pointed out that "both we and they are capable of winning on any pitch".

His memories of the Santiago Bernabeu, both as a player and as a coach, are many and varied, but Guardiola admitted that he has "no idea" what might happen on Tuesday.