It was more of the same after the interval, Joe Hart making a fine save from Luka Modric on 52 minutes before also stopping a Cristiano Ronaldo header. “We didn’t deserve to lose, Madrid was lucky with its goal, when the ball was deflected”.
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But although his team failed to create a single effort on target, as opposed to five by Real, City manager Pellegrini insisted his players were unlucky to go out and deserved to take the game to penalties.
Kun Aguero had been virtually invisible for 88 minutes then hit a 25 yard shot onto the roof of the Madrid net, but the English side had simply not done enough against a rival who may not have hit the heights, but who were better than they were.
The defeat means Pellegrini has only two more matches left of his three-season tenure before he steps aside for Pep Guardiola.
Ronaldo added: “We’ve always had Zizou’s back, he’s humble, he knows how to listen and that’s always important”.
“I’m happy, not just for myself; it was a team effort”, he said.
Mangala, who came on for the injured Vincent Kompany in the first half, said: “We conceded a lucky goal with a diverted ball”.
‘We could easily be in the final, ‘ Hart said directly after the match during an interview with BT Sport. “We worked very well for 90 minutes and that’s why Real Madrid couldn’t create but after the work, you need to be creative and players to make the difference in the last third, and today we couldn’t”.
“We played against a strong team but they weren’t better than us”, Pellegrini said.
Real were given a huge boost before kick-off as Cristiano Ronaldo made his return after a three-game absence due to a thigh injury. We did not create many chances and I think it was very similar to the first leg’.
“I admire him as a coach and a person, I hope he continues coaching us”. I’m happy watching what they do every day.
Real Madrid advance to the final and will take on Atletico Madrid in the final at San Siro, Milan on May 28.
Gareth Bale, whose shot was deflected past Hart for the only goal, is relishing the chance to play another final.
“I am privileged to play for Real Madrid”. People doubted me, I don’t know why.
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Manuel Pellegrini’s men were beaten 1-0 at the Bernabeu as they missed out on reaching the final with a lacklustre performance.
