Rio Ferdinand has revealed Pep Guardiola texted him that Manchester City would beat Real Madrid before his side did so emphatically.
City put Real Madrid to the sword in one of the most spectacular performances ever seen at the Etihad Stadium in a 4-0 win.
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The European champions could not lay a glove on their opponents, who cruised into a two-goal lead with Bernardo Silva netting both in the first-half.
After the break, they did not relent as Eder Militao scored an own goal from a Kevin de Bruyne free-kick before Julian Alvarez scored the fourth late on.
City went into the match as slight favourites but it would have been a surprise to thrash a Madrid side full of Champions League know-how with such ease.
But Guardiola knew he was onto a winner, and even confidently told Manchester United legend Ferdinand of all people before the match.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “Pep Guardiola texted me before the game, I said ‘good luck’, and he texted me, ‘believe me, we beat them two years ago, we will beat them again. Believe’.
“I said, ‘I believe you!’
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“The conviction that he had, the confidence that he had. That was about three hours before the game. He’s sending me a text like that.
“That is pure confidence in the detail probably leading up to this game and the confidence he has in them players.”
City will now take on Inter Milan for the Champions League title in Istanbul next month and will go in as heavy favourites.
They have already knocked Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig out with ease and have now swatted aside a Real Madrid team containing some of the best players in the world including Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric.
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Guardiola’s men will also have full confidence that they can win the treble as they continue to ramp up their form in recent weeks.
They have also wrestled away top spot in the Premier League away from Arsenal and are a win away from reclaiming their crown.
And they take on United in the FA Cup final, where Erik ten Hag must muster some magic to prevent the club’s local rivals from matching their 1999 treble effort.
