Cristiano Ronaldo lauded the impact made by Real Madrid boss Zinedine
Zidane as the Frenchman led the Spanish giants into the Champions League final
with a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday.
Brazilian midfielder Fernando's
first-half own goal was the only difference between the sides over two legs as
Real set up a repeat of the 2014 final against local rivals Atletico Madrid in
Milan on May 28.
Zidane replaced the sacked Rafael
Benitez with Madrid in crisis in January, but has sparked just Real's second
run to the final in the 14 years since he scored the winning goal against Bayer
Leverkusen for Real in 2002.
"Zidane is doing a great
job," said Ronaldo.
"I admire him as a coach and a
person, I hope he continues in the job.
"We've always been behind Zidane
because he is a humble person who likes to listen, and that always makes things
easier."
Ronaldo made his return after a
three-game absence due to a thigh injury, but was unable to match his own
record of 17 Champions League goals in a single season in a tight game short on
clear-cut chances.
"It was a complete game, the
team played really well and we could have finished them off with a second goal
-- 1-0 is a tight scoreline but it's enough," added Ronaldo.
Zidane admitted he could bask in some
of the glory for Real's resurgence of 19 wins in his 24 games in charge, but
reserved his praise for the players.
"I am the coach, so I am doing
something right for sure, but it is not just me," said the Frenchman.
"It is a question of all the
people working with me and the most important people are the players. It is
them that allow you to win in football."
By contrast, City coach Manuel
Pellegrini will give way to Pep Guardiola at the end of the season having
failed to get them to a final in his three seasons in charge.
The Chilean lamented his side's luck
as Gareth Bale's intended cross deflected off Fernando and looped over the
helpless Joe Hart for the only goal of the tie.
However, Pellegrini admitted City
hadn't created nearly enough to merit a place in the final.
"Neither of the two teams
deserved to win the game," said Pellegrini.
"I don't think we saw a superior
Madrid, we pressed them, but with the ball we lacked the creativity to do
damage.
"There was lot of work in the
180 minutes, but very little football."
However, Pellegrini defended his
record having taken City to the last four for the first time and believes they
will have the potential to go all the way under Guardiola.
"I think it is a special season
because we have reached the semis," he added.
"We are not happy, but I don't
think we deserved to compete the final. They had that bit of luck.
"In the Champions League it is a
step more, but I think this team must always try to play the final in the next
years."
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