Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both expressed their satisfaction as their side booked a place in the final of the Champions League against local rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Bale’s deflected cross was enough to give Madrid a 1-0 win over Manchester City, who were hugely disappointing over the two games of the semi-final.
“It was a tough game, but I think we played better than City, we created more chances and were more intense,” said Ronaldo on Spanish TV afterwards.
The striker had a relatively quiet game after shaking off a hamstring injury, but he insisted he was in top shape for the match.
“People had doubts about me, I don’t know why, they forget that sometimes I recover fast. I am happy with no problems,” he said.
Meanwhile Bale produced a man-of-the-match display to set up the second Madrid derby in two years.
“The reason I came here was to win Champions Leagues. I have got one already and now I have a chance to win another one. Obviously it is great to be in the final again but there is another game to go against a very stubborn Atletico Madrid team,” he said.
Atletico produced another solid defensive display to qualify past Bayern Munich and will be out for revenge after their loss to Madrid two years ago.
“It doesn’t matter who we play in the final we know it is going to be very difficult. They are there because they are a good team,” said Bale.