Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: Gareth Bale, Joe Hart Talk UCL Semi-Final Leg 2
Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale has said he is unconcerned with how his team defeated Manchester City in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, as the Welshman's cross cannoned off Fernando to give Los Blancos the solitary winning goal.
The Galacticos rode their luck as City penetrated in the final moments, but Real were worthy 1-0 winners on the night at Santiago Bernabeu in the semi-final second leg.
Bale told BT Sport (h/t Gary Rose of BBC Sport):
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"It doesn’t matter who scores or whether it's an own goal or not. The main thing is we have a chance to win the Champions League again.
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. I've got one already and I have got another chance to win another.
I feel like I am maturing. My Spanish is getting better and I'm integrating more with the team. I feel like I have turned a corner in that sense and I'm enjoying my football here.
"
Bale watched as his deflected effort outfoxed Joe Hart, dipping over his head for the only goal of the game.
The goalkeeper was clearly disappointed at the final whistle, branding Real as "lucky," via BT Sport:
Hart debated whether his side had done enough to progress to the final but said he would now look forward with his team-mates as they try to finish their campaign in style, via BT Sport.
Pundit Chris Waddle questioned City's performance after a lacklustre display, telling BBC Radio 5 Live (h/t Rose): "Manchester City basically had two chances, one was from 18 yards out and the other from about 25 yards out. They just let Madrid play their game, knock the ball around. The home side controlled the game. None of Manuel Pellegrini's side showed any pace, any legs, or any tempo."
It was a disappointing night for Pellegrini in his final European game in charge of City, and his team didn't gamble early enough to put Real under extreme pressure.
The Premier League outfit played within themselves for most of the evening as Real peppered Hart's goal in an attempt to kill the fixture.
City will now begin a fresh adventure as Pep Guardiola takes control at the Etihad Stadium in the summer ahead of next season.
Real now have a chance of collecting a historic 11th European Cup trophy as they face neighbours Atletico Madrid at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on Saturday, May 28.
