Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola said he felt sorry for Cristiano Ronaldo as Bayern Munich progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League, knocking out Benfica -- the preferred opponent of the Real Madrid forward.
A 2-2 draw here on Wednesday night was enough to send Bayern through on a 3-2 aggregate. A day before, Real had beaten Wolfsburg to secure a last four spot. Ronaldo had said after the win that he wanted to play against the Portuguese club in the semi-finals, but Guardiola joked that he was sad to crush his dream.
"I know that Cristiano would have liked Benfica in the semi-finals, I am sorry for him," Guardiola was quoted as saying by the Independent on Thursday.
Manchester City and Atletico Madrid are the other semi-finalists besides Real and Bayern, and Guardiola said he has no preferred opponent ahead of Friday's draw.
"It's normal that Ronaldo would have wanted to play Benfica as he is Portuguese," Guardiola added. "Manchester City are a possibility, so are Real (Madrid) and Atletico."
"We are happy to be here and will play anyone."
