![Tired and emotional City battle through pain to keep double dream alive](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583747695/1713684326/articles/UbI55HS9n1713689309818/TIRED-AND-EMOTIONAL-CITY-BATTLE-THROUGH-PAIN-TO-KEEP-DOUBLE-DREAM-ALIVE.jpg)
Manchester City were on their knees from the beginning of this semi-final against Chelsea yet rose to the occasion yet again to keep their hopes of a domestic Double alive. Every push through the pain, every bit of lactic acid and every bit of defensive resolve proved worth it in the end as Bernardo Silva scored a late goal to book City's place in their second final in as many years.
Pep Guardiola had his head in his hands at full-time, in disbelief at just how his side had managed to win it.
"I'm really tired now," were Kevin De Bruyne's first words on the pitch in his interview. But the coach and players were ultimately vindicated for pushing through the pain barrier and showing their intent to defend their trophy.
The difference in cost of the starting XIs amounted to about £1million, whereas the two days of extra rest for Chelsea gave them the advantage. As well as City having to deal with the emotional fallout of their Champions League fallout, it was a physically crushing 120 minutes that both De Bruyne and Manu Akanji had been unable to complete.
It's not that Guardiola doesn't listen to his medical team, but he does not want tiredness used as an excuse by any of his players. There were plenty of fans who would have made more changes from the Real Madrid game in order to concentrate on having the best XI as fit as possible for the Premier League match at Brighton on Thursday, yet that is not the Guardiola way. The lineup may even have been stronger for going out of the Champions League, knowing that there are fewer games left this season.
Either way, it was a statement of intent that De Bruyne, Akanji and Kyle Walker started again after their recent issues. City's Treble hopes may be over but their pursuit of a Double would not die wondering.
This story is from the April 21, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 21, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Pep takes up place in Royal Box as he visits Wimbledon](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/EbkshqnGL1720328879278/PEP-TAKES-UP-PLACE-IN-ROYAL-BOX-AS-HE-VISITS-WIMBLEDON.jpg)
Pep takes up place in Royal Box as he visits Wimbledon
PEP Guardiola's name was playfully booed as he took his seat at Wimbledon on Saturday.
![Joy as England banish penalty demons from memories of Wembley 2020](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/elO7CMpIO1720328625333/JOY-AS-ENGLAND-BANISH-PENALTY-DEMONS-FROM-MEMORIES-OF-WEMBLEY-2020.jpg)
Joy as England banish penalty demons from memories of Wembley 2020
JORDAN Pickford was the shoot-out hero as England kept their Euro 2024 dreams alive by beating Switzerland on penalties to reach the semi-finals.
!['I saw De Ligt!' Pivotal role of Ajax coach](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/VheTKPE5_1720328344027/I-SAW-DE-LIGT-PIVOTAL-ROLE-OF-AJAX-COACH.jpg)
'I saw De Ligt!' Pivotal role of Ajax coach
Tyrone Marshall talks to academy boss who helped defender become one of the most sough-after players across Europe
![Don't lose your shirt if the numbers change](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/WAiu-J_ee1720328225724/DONT-LOSE-YOUR-SHIRT-IF-THE-NUMBERS-CHANGE.jpg)
Don't lose your shirt if the numbers change
ANY CUSTOMER with a specific printing request at the Old Trafford Megastore will be warned that squad numbers are subject to change and refunds will not be offered.
![TAKE FIVE: Quintet United could sign this summer window](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/8Rn3at1b71720328049231/TAKE-FIVE-QUINTET-UNITED-COULD-SIGN-THIS-SUMMER-WINDOW.jpg)
TAKE FIVE: Quintet United could sign this summer window
UNITED owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and manager Erik ten Hag are under no illusions regarding the work that is needed to be done this summer.
![UEFA opens one door to City but closes another....](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/Qdomj1oz01720327857943/UEFA-OPENS-ONE-DOOR-TO-CITY-BUT-CLOSES-ANOTHER.jpg)
UEFA opens one door to City but closes another....
THE GOOD news is that City have been cleared to play in the Champions League next season, after UEFA were satisfied with changes to Girona's ownership structure made over the summer.
![How City fought bitter battle to sign teen who never delivered](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/qwMsDZcIr1720327636049/HOW-CITY-FOUGHT-BITTER-BATTLE-TO-SIGN-TEEN-WHO-NEVER-DELIVERED.jpg)
How City fought bitter battle to sign teen who never delivered
AT just 16-years-old, with the prospect of a life-changing move to the Premier League, Karim Karim Rekik instead found himself at the centre of a bitter legal battle between boyhood club Feyenoord and future club City.
![Landmark ruling in sewage battle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/Lq8aIqGQE1720327536342/LANDMARK-RULING-IN-SEWAGE-BATTLE.jpg)
Landmark ruling in sewage battle
WE'VE heard plenty of promises from politicians about how they'll end the crisis of sewage being pumped into our lakes, rivers and seas. But could a 'landmark' legal case in the North of England be a turning point in the war on sewage?
![Toy cars, plants, clothes... and jumbo sausages](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/r5cu2Sb3w1720327390367/TOY-CARS-PLANTS-CLOTHES-AND-JUMBO-SAUSAGES.jpg)
Toy cars, plants, clothes... and jumbo sausages
We check out what's on offer at town's big car boot sale
![They just make you feel so empowered](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21199/1757582/naEq4Ecwi1720327042767/THEY-JUST-MAKE-YOU-FEEL-SO-EMPOWERED.jpg)
They just make you feel so empowered
Gran-of-five tells Paige Oldfield why she is still taking part in beauty pageants in her 50s