Pep Guardiola says both Champions League semi-final ties this week were ‘unbelievable’ following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona’s 3-3 draw with Inter.
Ousmane Dembele’s early goal at the Emirates Stadium sealed PSG’s win against Mikel Arteta’s side on Tuesday night.
While on Wednesday evening, Barcelona and Inter served up a thrilling semi-final first leg at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys as the La Liga leaders came from two goals down to take a 3-3 draw to San Siro next week.
Inter will now host Barcelona in their return leg next Tuesday, while Arsenal travel to the Parc des Princes next Wednesday looking to overturn their 1-0 loss to the French champions.
Asked about Barca’s enthralling draw with Inter, Guardiola said on Thursday: ‘I was surprised how nice was the game.
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‘So thanks to these types of games the stadiums will never, ever be empty, and our business will grow up.
‘So I can just be grateful for the two semi-finals because both were unbelievable, especially yesterday’s game.
‘When you play like Barcelona play, the stadiums will never, ever be empty and we can live in that business for a long, long time. So it doesn’t matter the result, how proud the people who love Barcelona are.
‘And I think Inter prove again when we won the Champions League against the opponent we played, it’s incredible Inter how good they defend in transitions, physicality, well organised. [Simone] Inzaghi is an unbelievable manager,
‘Next Tuesday and Wednesday will be incredible, the two games. I think they’re four fantastic teams and they deserve to be there.’
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