Departing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says luck was the only thing that kept his side out of the Champions League final.
City lost their Champions League semi-final second leg 1-0 to Real Madrid, going out on the same scoreline on aggregate.
Real edged through thanks to a deflected Gareth Bale goal and Pellegrini says had his team a bit more luck they could have been the side in the final.
"They were very lucky with the goal, it was a cross, but it got deflected off our player and into the top corner,” he remarked.
"I think it was very similar to the first leg with not many chances created, the team was working, but not with really anybody making a difference."
"We were not very creative, we had one clear chance with Fernandinho, another with Kun (Sergio Aguero), but not much - it was the same with Real Madrid, they did not create many chances also.
"We worked the game very well, we tried to get the ball high and make the difference, but we were not creative, the same as happened at the Etihad, we could not score."
"We didn't deserve to lose this game," said the Chilean, whose side had four shots on goal to Real's 15. "Real were very lucky with the deflection that gave them the goal.
"None of the teams deserved to win and it should have gone to penalties. We didn't see Real Madrid better than us, we were not creative enough to do damage.
"I think Real Madrid's defence was good but none of these two teams was able to overcome the defence of the other one, neither in Manchester nor Madrid."
Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who played having missed the first leg due to injury, admitted that it was a tight tie over two legs, but that he felt Real deserved to progress.
“It was a tough game, but I think we played better than City,” he remarked.
"We created more chances and were more intense.
"We are going to play against Atletico Madrid and I am happy because it will be special in the Champions League final." - Cristiano Ronaldo
"We knew that after the goal, City would press high on us, but we controlled the game. One-nil was a short result, but we are happy we are in the final."
The Portugal forward felt no issues following his recent injury lay-off.
"I am good," he said. "For 15 days, I didn't do much, and I have played today.
"People had doubts about me, I don't know why people forget that sometimes I recover fast.
"I am happy with no problems.
"I was tired because I did not compete for 15 days, but it was not bad and I think I helped the team."
Real now face an all-Madrid final against their cross-city rival Atletico, the team they beat in the 2014 decider after extra-time.
"It will be tough, in a final you never know what's going to happen, it is 50-50,” said Ronaldo (above).
"We are going to play against Atletico Madrid and I am happy because it will be special in the Champions League final."
The final will take place in Milan on 28 May. Pellegrini will be replaced as City boss by Pep Guardiola next season.
