Thursday 5 May 2016 07:22, UK
Zinedine Zidane insists Manchester City made it difficult for Real Madrid in his side's Champions League semi-final win at the Bernabeu, despite the visitors registering just one shot on target.
Fernando's first-half own goal was enough to give Real the 1-0 aggregate win, while City's top scorer Sergio Aguero did not touch the ball inside the opposition area.
Despite criticism of the visitors, Real Madrid manager Zidane insists City "participated" on Wednesday night, and said the hosts' suffered.
"I didn't see a weak City," said Zidane. "I saw City participating, a team who made it difficult for us. They didn't manage to get too many opportunities, but they played, they defended well and it was difficult for us.
"We deserved maybe a second goal in the second half, but in the end it's a semi-final and we suffered all the way until the end.
"At the end when you look we won 1-0. That shows that we suffered against a very good opponent. You may have your own opinion that City did nothing. I think they did a lot."
Zidane, who was appointed as Rafa Benitez's successor in February, is in his first senior job in management, and could earn a third Champions League title with Real after leading them to success as a player in 2002 and being involved as assistant in 2014.
"I'm happy, I'm happy. Not happy just because it's me, I think it's the work of everyone, and I'm happy because of the players. What they did today was wonderful, great.
"We suffered, as usual, because it's a semi-final, and it's always a place to suffer, but in the end we managed to get to the final and that's the most important thing for us.
"Today is the day to enjoy, and especially we will enjoy the moment with the fans because they were wonderful. But we haven't achieved anything yet, we know on May 28 it will be difficult, complex."
Real's opponents on May 28 in Milan will be city rivals Atletico Madrid, the side they beat 4-1 in Lisbon in 2014 for their 10th European Cup crown.
Atletico have had the better of Real domestically in recent seasons, and despite his side going into the clash as the fancied outfit, Zidane insists there are no favourites in these finals.
"There is no favourite. As usual it's a final and I think both of us deserve to be in the final. When you start the match it is 50/50.
"I am still happy to be coaching this club, this great team, everybody is important, and I'm really happy I've been able to enjoy the possibility the club has given me.
"Right now the most important thing for me is that it is clear we have not won anything, we have to keep working together."
