Pellegrini rues lack of chances in semi-final defeat: 'We lacked creativity'
Manager Manuel Pellegrini bemoaned Manchester City's lack of chances in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final loss at Real Madrid, where the Citizens failed to score the crucial away goal to secure a spot in a first major European final.
An own goal by City midfielder Fernando, who appeared to deflect Gareth Bale's looping effort, was the difference on a night absent of inspiration on both sides of the pitch.
Related - Watch: Bale's deflected strike hands Real Madrid advantage over City
"I am disappointed because I think that was a very close game with two teams who did not create many chances," Pellegrini told BT Sport after the match. "The two teams were working with no one making a difference."
City didn't register a single shot on target at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Sergio Aguero's late long-range strike sailing just over the crossbar. The visitor offered little going forward, and Yaya Toure looked lethargic in an advanced midfield role.
A muscular injury to Vincent Kompany within 10 minutes of the opening whistle once again forced Pellegrini into a premature substitution in a big game.
City acquitted itself well without its captain, and neither Pellegrini nor goalkeeper Joe Hart saw any issues at the back for the remainder of the evening.
"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, same as Real Madrid," the Chilean said.
"We could easily be in the final but they managed the game well. They got a very lucky goal but it is what it is," Hart added. "We just didn't have that little bit more."
Madrid did show more liveliness on the ball than its counterpart, attempting 15 shots throughout the 90 minutes.
But Pellegrini refused to see the host as superior.
"We pressed them well, but with ball we lacked creativity to do them damage," he said.
City must now focus on qualifying for next season's Champions League. Currently in fourth place and four points above Manchester United, which has a game in hand, Pellegrini's men face Arsenal on Sunday.