Bernardo Silva and John Stones spoke about winning the FA Cup title with Manchester City.
The pair are both departing the team at the end of this season, and their final trip with the Cityzens to Wembley Stadium saw success for the side with a 1-0 win against Chelsea. Antoine Semenyo stole the headlines with his backheel finish, but there were other narratives to observe on the afternoon.
‘To stick in there and fight like we did is incredible’
Bernardo has adopted a more reserved role in the group, using his experience and gamesmanship to support the side in the middle of the park. He played with Rodri and then Mateo Kovacic in the engine room, and the veteran was proud to add another big memory to his journey with his manager.
*"Very special. I am really happy. Everything about my journey at Man City was fantastic. Hopefully we can still have a small dream that we can fight for the Premier League. We are very happy. It is just special for me, being my last season to give them another trophy. Hopefully, this is not the last one.*
"Since I arrived it has been 20 [trophies], so it is not bad. That was a fantastic goal. In a final there are no favourites. The beginning of the second half, they started really strong. They were putting us under constant pressure, and it wasn't easy.
*“[**Pep Guardiola**] changed the way I see football. 80% of my career was with him as my manager. All the things I hoped to achieve were with him. The relationship we’ve got is strong with the frustrations and the achievements. I care a lot about Man City. That's his decision. It is not for me to comment on that. I wish all the best. I enjoy being with him having shared all these moments together."*
Stones reflects on a difficult season at Wembley
Stones has also experienced the majority of his club career under the management of Guardiola, but the defender was left on the bench in place of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov. The quality from Chelsea was not convincing in the attack, but a one-goal lead likely deterred Guardiola from bringing on the Englishman for one last bow at Wembley, and that decision was a talking point.
Whereas Bernardo has been a key lieutenant for Guardiola throughout the campaign, Stones has seen just 364 Premier League minutes this term. His last Premier League start was against Aston Villa in October, and the chapter seems to have closed for the defender with the Cityzens for a little while.
"It is overwhelming": Stones treasures the Wembley moment
"I wanted to be involved in the game. As a player it's hard to take, especially when a lot of us played the semi-final. It's part of adapting and getting behind the team. It wasn't the best game in terms of chances or how we played in the first half but to stick in there and fight like we did is incredible.
“I think after the game, the atmosphere and the love that was shown for me personally, and to lift the trophy - which I didn't really want to do with Bernardo - it was a nice touch.
"I can't put it into words. I said it before, but I never would have believed or thought 10 years ago that this would be happening, I would have a song and be so loved, it's overwhelming. It's really special.
"It's been a difficult season. I think the first half of the season I played quite a lot of games and was involved but I picked up a little injury in December and been back since then...it's football. I haven't got the answers really for why (I haven't played)."