Pep Guardiola will again be without the UEFA Champions League trophy - after leaving Barcelona, the Catalan failed to even reach the final and on Wednesday experienced probably the bitterest taste of victory.
Manchester City won 4:3 in the second match against Tottenham, however, Spurs, having triumphed at home, advanced to the Champions League semi-finals due to an away goal rule.
The "Citizens" narrowly missed reaching the semi-finals- Raheem Sterling scored a fifth goal during added time, but P. Guardiola and other Man City representatives' joy was overshadowed by a disallowed goal after a VAR review.
P. Guardiola accepted this decision, but he was not sure about the third Tottenham goal, scored by Fernando Llorente after a corner. The referee had to stand for a long time near the screen after this goal, but after a long look, the handball was not determined.
"I definitely support VAR, but watching Llorente's goal from the other camera angle, it seemed to me that it was a handball. From the referee's position, the episode looked different," said P. Guardiola.
Speaking about the dramatic R. Sterling goal later canceled due to a handball, the coach replied: "I am a football fan, so I am for justice. Referees need help. If it was a handball, then it was. What more can I say?"
Later, speaking to the media, P. Guardiola admitted that such an exit from the tournament is extremely painful for the team, but they must gear up for crucial battles in the Premier League.
"It's hard to come to terms with. It's a cruel failure, but we have to accept it. In the last nine or ten months, we fought very hard. The Premier League is in our hands. We know that there are many tough matches ahead, but we have to keep fighting.
Before Saturday's match, we need to draw conclusions. Right now, I'm not thinking about it too much. First, we need a good night's sleep, and then start doing something," said P. Guardiola after a dramatic night.
