City failed to take advantage in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo – who missed the first leg because of a thigh injury after scoring 47 goals in 44 games this season – in a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.
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As an occasion, City’s first semi-final appearance in the competition was a let-down, but by preventing Madrid from notching an away goal they safeguarded their hopes of reaching the final ahead of next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu.
When pressed on the extent of Silva’s problem, Pellegrini added: “David Silva has a hamstring injury and will not be fit in one week”.
Since the beginning of March Zinedine Zidane’s side have won nine La Liga games in a row and even when they suffered a hiccup in a 2-0 defeat by Wolfsburg in the Champions League quarter-final they responded with a 3-0 home victory. “He didn’t have much work during the whole game, but Joe is a good goalkeeper of a big team”.
Semi-final debutants City were without the injured Yaya Toure, so Brazilian pair Fernando and Fernandinho started in central midfield with Kevin De Bruyne in the number 10 role.
Joe Hart made two crucial late saves as City survived a late onslaught from the Spanish giants in Tuesday’s tense clash at the Etihad Stadium.
No Ronaldo, barely any Benzema, Bale a peripheral figure for half the match; as ridiculous as this may sound to those who have watched City in the third flight as recently as 1999, Real were initially as toothless an opponent as Stoke on Saturday lunchtime and were there for the taking.
Said his opposite, Pepe: “In the first half we were weighing each other up, but in the second half we were the stronger side”.
“Overall we can be proud of what we have achieved in the first leg of this game”.
“We tried from the beginning to win the game”, said Manuel Pellegrini in his post-match press conference.
Fernandinho was particularly impressive when attacking, splitting the Real Madrid defence with several passes. We had a good 90 minutes, though the second half was better.
Zidane said he was unsure if Ronaldo and Benzema, who have scored 74 goals between them this season, will be fit for the second leg. “We have to take it day by day”, the Frenchman said.
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“There’s nothing I look forward to more in my career than the chance to play against one of the all-time greats”. Hart produced several key saves – none more impressive than denying Pepe from point-blank range late on. Madrid midfielder Casemiro put his head on a corner in the 79th minute, forcing Hart to make a flailing kick-save while falling backward.
