Reflecting on the City game, Ramos said: “There are sometimes easier games and others harder, but the Champions League always requires enormous concentration”.
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It was Ronaldo’s first match in weeks after missing three league matches and the first leg against City with a hamstring injury. “We didn’t deserve to lose, Madrid was lucky with its goal, when the ball was deflected”.
Lucas Vazquez received a yellow card for a late tackle on Raheem Sterling with seven minutes remaining, but replays show the Real Madrid midfielder’s high challenge could have warranted a red.
“Neither of the two teams deserved to win the game”, Pellegrini said.
“I felt we were close to killing the game off, but couldn’t get clear-cut chances”.
“The reason I came to Real Madrid was to win Champions Leagues”, Bale told BT Sport.
City now sit fourth in the Premier League table, but with Manchester United, West Ham and Southampton all hot on their heels and boasting a game in hand, it is by no means guaranteed that they will be in the competition next season. “We did what we could and now we must think about the future”.
Pellegrini lost captain Vincent Kompany to yet another muscle injury after just eight minutes but the City boss insisted it did not disrupt his defence despite the winning goal coming shortly after.
“It’s a special season because we have reached the semi-final”. We didn’t have creative players that could make a difference. “We’ve got to enjoy these moments”. After that they were able to manage the match.
Real will play city rivals Atletico Madrid in Milan on 28 May, the second time the two sides have met in the final in the space of three seasons.
“When players can do that you see the best of them”.
“Every day I learn from him and my teammates”.
“People had doubts about me, I don’t know why, they forget that sometimes I recover fast. I am happy with no problems”.
“Of course if you don’t reach the final you have missed an opportunity”.
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Madrid’s efforts finally paid off in the 20th minute, when Bale’s attempted cross deflected off of Fernando’s legs to find the back of the net. “I’m looking forward to it. We go again to cement our place in the Champions League”. We played against a very strong team that wasn’t better than us.
