Football
PA Sport 8y

Manchester City's Joe Hart laments 'very lucky' Real Madrid goal

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted his side fell short of the performance needed to overcome Real Madrid and book the club's first-ever Champions League final on Wednesday, but called Real's decisive goal "very lucky" and claimed City could have easily seen themselves in Milan.

Despite a standout day for the England No. 1, a Fernando own goal in the 20th minute proved the difference as Real earned a trip to a second final in three years with a 1-0 defeat of City at the Bernabeu.

Hart bemoaned his side's failure to make history in Europe's top club competition and reckoned Manuel Pellegrini's men deserved more from the tie.

Speaking to BT Sport Europe, Hart said: "We could easily have been in the final. They managed the game well, and got a very lucky goal, but it is what it is.

"They created very little over the two legs, but so did we in fairness.

"It was a close semifinal and we have come out the wrong side of it.

"They could not kill it off, we defended well when needed, but we just didn't have that little bit more.

"I thought Kun [Aguero] had a good effort in the 88th minute, but did we do enough to win the game? I don't know."

Hart said City must quickly regroup ahead of Sunday's showdown with Arsenal, who are also battling for Champions League qualification again next season.

He added: "I don't think we can be bothered by criticism, it is what it is.

"We turned up to win this game, we turn up to win every game, but this is gone now and we need to look to Sunday."

Substitute defender Eliaquim Mangala agreed Real were fortunate to score, but congratulated the Bernabeu side's ability to see out the game.

Mangala, who came on for the injured Vincent Kompany in the first half, said: "We conceded a lucky goal with a diverted ball. After that, Real Madrid did well to stay ahead. We failed to score.

"There is pride at reaching the last four though. We fell to an experienced team."

^ Back to Top ^