Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted Real Madrid is the team to beat if they must finally lay hands on the Champions League trophy.

Guardiola was speaking after they qualified for the semi-final with a 4-1 aggregate win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

City took a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg and weathered the storm from Bayern in front of their fans, with Erling Haaland missing a penalty.

Haaland eventually finished off a counter-attack before Joshua Kimmich’s late penalty.

“What we have done is incredible—three Champions League semi-finals.

“I think all the clubs around the world had the feeling that if you want to win the competition, you have to beat Real Madrid."

“Before it was Barcelona, now it’s Real Madrid,” Guardiola said.