Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Bayern managed a 3-2 victory over the Catalans at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, yet it was not enough as the Spanish giants progressed 5-3 on aggregate to reach their fourth final in the last nine years.
And former Champions League –winning manager Guardiola feels Argentine ace Lionel Messi’s incredible form has been the key following his two goals in the first leg, going on to compare the 27-year-old to Brazilian legend Pele.
“I am happy that Messi is back here again,” Guardiola said after the game. “He is incredible, he is back to his best as he was when I used to train him.
“We're lucky to live in his age as he is the best player of all time. I can compare him to Pele, and I am very proud of the years I spent with him.”
The Spanish coach said he was proud of their team for their display in the second leg, and wished his former team well in the final of this year’s competition.
"I am satisfied with the performance of my team,” he said. “We needed this balance in the Camp Nou but didn’t have it.
"I would like to have played better and have all my best players available to me for my project. I want to congratulate my players. Congrats to Barca also, I hope they win their fifth Champions League final in Berlin."
Barcelona face the winners of tonight’s second semi-final between Real Madrid and Juventus in Berlin on 6 June.