Pep Guardiola believes the negative emotion from last season's defeat to Real Madrid has gone after they dethroned the European champions.
The Catalan saw his side put on a masterclass to ease past the Spanish giants 4-0 at the Etihad and 5-1 on aggregate. It means the former Barcelona boss now has the chance to secure a third Champions League title - and his first since 2011.
Last season they were denied another final appearance as Los Blancos produced a dramatic late comeback, scoring twice in the final minutes to force extra-time. Karim Benzema then scored the winning goal to dump out City when it looked for all money like they were destined to make the final.
One year on though and, after their personalities were questioned, Guardiola believes the negative emotion has been released. He told BT Sport: "At home we feel very comfortable with our people. I had a feeling we had one year of pain in our stomach with what happened last season, but today everything went out. It was so painful last season, when people said we lacked character, now we're showing how special they are.
"I've said many times, we don't have to comeback from 3-0, just be ourself. We beat them two seasons ago, last season then happened, but the game this season was similar to last season. Today from minute one, we had the feeling that we were ready, so we were calm mentally. I didn't feel nervous or tension, I had the feeling we were ready to produce a good performance."
Guardiola also added: "There is a lot of work and when you reach the final of the Champions League you have to celebrate it. Unfortunately we do not have time because on Sunday we have the chance to win the Premier League."
City's Champions League success could end up capping a historic treble with the Premier League and the FA Cup to come beforehand. The league looks to have been wrapped up, assisted by Arsenal's collapse, and would further underline their recent dominance.
Manchester United - who are the only English side to win the iconic treble - are their opponents in the FA Cup final a week before the European Cup showpiece. The Red Devils have already beaten City this term and are eyeing their second piece of silverware under Erik ten Hag.
City were beaten finalists in Porto two years ago when Chelsea secured something of a surprise victory to deny the Manchester outfit. Inter Milan now stand between them and City's much craved first Champions League, which has been years in the making following Sheikh Mansour's takeover.
