Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini thinks his side took Real Madrid to the wire this evening at the Bernabeu, after the Citizens lost 1-0 to Los Blancos, exiting the Champions League 1-0 on aggregate.
The Citizens headed into their semi-final second leg with the tie balanced at 0-0. However, it took just 20 minutes for Real Madrid to take the lead on home turf when Gareth Bale struck, his cross deflecting into the back of the net off Fernando.
Real Madrid had further pressure, but always found Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart in good form.
There was a distinct lack of energy about both teams, even as substitutes were brought on, but the closest Manchester City came to equalising late on was a Sergio Aguero effort which went high and onto the roof of the goal.
Pellegrini, who was forced to replace Vincent Kompany through injury early on, feels there was little in the tie and argued that neither side created much in the way of clear cut opportunities.
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The Manchester City manager said on BT Sport: "I am disappointed because I think that was a very close game with two teams who did not create many chances. The two teams were working with no one making a difference.
"It is not the best thing changing a defender very early but I don't think we had any problems in defence, we had problems creating, the same as Real Madrid.
"They did not create many chances.
"We worked the game very well. During whole game we tried to make some difference."
Manchester City will now switch their attention to the Premier League where they will want to lock down a top four spot. Real Madrid meanwhile are into the Champions League final, where they will play Atletico Madrid.
