Rio Ferdinand Reveals Pep Texted Him City Would Thrash Real Hours Before UCL Tie

• Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Pep Guardiola predicted Man City's win over Real Madrid in a text sent to him by the Spaniard
• The Premier League giants hammered the reigning European giants 4-0 during their encounter at the Etihad Stadium
• The huge win was enough to earn them a crunch clash against Inter Milan in the final of the tournament, set to be played in Istanbul

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he received a text from Pep Guardiola hours before Manchester City's Champions League cracker against Real Madrid.

City and Real locked horns on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium in an epic Champions League semi-final clash.

Having settled for a 1-1 draw in the reverse tie played in Spain, there was everything to play for in the second leg of the tie at the Etihad.

Toni Kroos fires back at Wayne Rooney's claim that Real Madrid will be "destroyed"

Football

The Cityzens, who are looking to win the competition for the first time in their history, were the eventual winners of the fixture.

Sky Sports reports that Bernardo Silva was the man of the moment for City, as he netted a first-half brace before Akanji and Julian Alvarez also got their names on the scoresheet to help the hosts beat Real 4-0.

Pep's message to Rio

It has now emerged that Guardiola was very much aware that his charges would demolish the La Liga giants during their meeting.

According to Rio, the Man City boss texted him moments before the clash, and told him his side would emerge victors.

"Pep Guardiola texted me before the game and said, 'We beat them two years ago, and we will beat them again, believe me'," Sportbible quoted Ferdinand as saying.

Rio's revelation came moments after a video emerged of Guardiola approaching the legendary defender after the match and pointing, seemingly in an attempt to show that he was proven right.

Aguero hits out Pep Guardiola for 'baffling' decision during Man City's clash vs Real

Football

Pep clashes with De Bruyne

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola clashed midway through the second half of Man City's match against Real Madrid.

The incident happened after the Belgian playmaker lost possession to Eder Millitao before turning to his manager, shouting in anger.

While it remains unclear what sparked the spat, it is believed De Bruyne was dissatisfied with the instructions shouted at him by Pep.