No fairy-tale ending for Pellegrini as lady luck deserts Man City on their big night

Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini said his side did not deserve to be eliminated from the Champions League despite having only one effort on target in their 1-0 semi-final, second leg defeat to Real Madrid.

Gareth Bale’s deflected effort in the 20th minute was enough to propel Real into the final where they will face their city neighbours Atletico, although the narrow margin of Wednesday’s victory did not do justice to the Spanish side’s dominant display.

City could only muster five attempts on goal to Madrid’s 15 and only hit the target once, although Fernandinho clipped the post just before half-time.

Pellegrini, however, felt his side were unfortunate.

“We didn’t deserve to lose, we were very unlucky. It was a cross with a deflection that put the ball in the top corner and that goal gave them more time to play,” Pellegrini told a news conference.

“We have no regrets, we worked very well for the whole game and that is why Real Madrid couldn’t create chances but after that you need creativity and players who can make the difference in the last third and that’s what we lacked,” added the Chilean, who is leaving the club at the end of the season.