City won the quarterfinal 4-0, with Erling Haaland hitting a hat-trick at the Etihad.
With manager Pep Guardiola suspended from the dugout for the tie, Lijnders said: "Pep is really pleased, that is the most important. It's not easy to please him.
"We played a good game. The first 25 minutes we were too open. Then we started to control the game and created more chances. We deserved it.
"He (Guardiola) complimented the guys who played the last weeks and didn't play today. He was really happy because it's special if you go eight times to Wembley in eight years in a row. It's finals now. It's the part of the season where the business has to be done. The boys feel that."
Indeed, on the Wembley return after winning the Carabao Cup, the Dutchman said:"We have to prove it. Probably we will get a difficult opponent again. Wembley is special, I am happy for the fans. These are special days."
On Haaland's hat-trick, Lijnders added: "Wow what a goal. Unbelievable. The header for me was insane. I love when a striker flies and attacks the ball and the fans love that as well."