Looking to finally win the Champions League for the first time, City took a big step towards the semi-finals as they beat Bayern, who knocked PSG out in the previous round, 3-0 at the Etihad.
Rodri put the hosts in front in sensational fashion with a curling strike from distance, before Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland extended the advantage after the break as Bayern were punished for some error-strewn defending.
City are now huge favourites to finish the job in Munich next week, and will do so as long as they avoid a three-goal defeat at the Allianz, with Real Madrid or Chelsea waiting in the last-four should Guardiola’s side progress as now expected.
However, the City boss stated after the match that Bayern were “better than us” for spells at the Etihad and insisted the Bundesliga leaders, a club he managed for three seasons, are well-capable of mounting a comeback on home soil.
“When you are there you realise how good they are as a team,” Guardiola told BT Sport.
“For 55, 60 minutes it was a tight, tight game. In a lot of moments they were better than us, but after 65 minutes we got the second goal and that helped us a lot.
“We made some changes and our pressing was more effective. They were finding Musiala, what an exceptional player he is. And Gnabry, the threat from Coman and Leroy in behind, how fast they are. It’s really, really difficult.
“I am happy for the result but I lived in Munich for three years. I know at Bayern Munich the mentality and I know the quality they have. Still a strong game to do.”
