Sunday 23 April 2017 20:09, UK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists his team were outstanding despite losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final after extra time.
Guardiola missed out on his last chance of silverware in his debut season in England as his side fell to an extra-time winner from reported City target Alexis Sanchez. It means the 2016/17 season is set to be the first of Guardiola's managerial career where he will finish trophyless.
But despite the loss, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager believes his team can be proud of their efforts.
"The performance today was outstanding and we'll recover," he said in his post-match press conference.
"Due to what I've done in my past, the pressure will be on me until the last day of my managerial career. We put in a good performance. We'll improve next season.
"We had a good cup run with away games against Premier League teams. We have some problems to score but we played like we want. Today we are sad, but tomorrow we stand up and finish the games we have in the Premier League."
David Silva was forced off with a leg injury in the 22nd minute, but Guardiola does not know whether the Spaniard's exit had an impact on the outcome of the game.
He added: "I don't know whether it would have made a difference. He told me he couldn't play on. We will never know. It's better to have him on the pitch but we'll never know."
In the first half, City had the ball in the back of the net through Raheem Sterling but the goal was ruled out after the linesman ruled Leroy Sane's cross had gone behind before curling back into play.
However, Guardiola believes the decision was too hard for the official to call.
"The linesman cannot see it. To see that ball you have to be in line. It's impossible to see it," he said.
City take on Manchester United live on Sky Sports in the Premier League on Thursday and Guardiola admits defeat at Wembley was not ideal preparation ahead of the Manchester derby against their top-four rivals.
"It would have been better to win 4-0, [before Thursday's Manchester derby], but that's impossible."
