However, Bale admitted the 20th-minute goal that finally separated the two sides was slightly fortunate, with the forward’s center taking a crucial deflection off Fernando on its way past City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
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Real will now play city rivals Atletico in the final – a repeat of the 2014 showpiece – and hope to claim their 11th European title.
Fourth-placed City are being challenged for their Champions League spot by Manchester United and West Ham and they now face a crucial game at home to third-placed Arsenal on Sunday.
“We were on top of it and we knew we had to end up with a goal”.
“At 1-0 they always had a chance and they could have thrown a little bit more at us – but they didn’t”.
“I’m very happy with everything that has happened to me, I’m the coach of this team so I must have done something right but it’s not just me, it’s down to everyone who works with me and the most important ones are the players”.
“The team and the supporters deserve everything”. “We played them two years ago which just shows the high quality of the Spanish Primera Division”.
The clash with City was Real’s 27th appearance in a European Cup semi-final, while the game at San Siro later this month will be their 14th outing in the final – both records. “We created more chances in the first and second half, we were more intense”.
“After that they were able to manage the match”.
“We should have gone to penalties because I don’t think Real were better than us”. “I’ve got one already and I’ve got the chance to win another one now”.
City could be without captain Vincent Kompany for those final two games against Arsenal and Swansea after he suffered a groin injury early on at the Bernabeu.
“What we didn’t have was the creative players”.
“He’s (Zidane) given us that belief and freedom to go out and express ourselves and enjoy ourselves”, Bale was quoted as saying by UEFA’s official website on Thursday.
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“I am disappointed because I think that was a very close game”, City coach Manuel Pellegrini said. We know that the final against Atlético will be tough. We played as we wanted to play today but we came up one goal short.
