Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Man City's Eliaquim Mangala eyes Real Madrid 'revenge' in Champions League

Eliaquim Mangala said he is proud of Manchester City's progress in the Champions League this season and has vowed that they can get their own back by reaching next year's final.

City fell at the semifinal stage against Real Madrid as Gareth Bale's cross deflected off Fernando in Wednesday's second leg at the Bernabeu to see Real reach their 14th European Cup final.

The sides had drawn 0-0 in Manchester a week previously but City's hopes of upsetting the odds in Madrid faded when their captain Vincent Kompany was again forced off through injury after only 10 minutes.

Mangala, 25, was the man called upon to replace Kompany but he could do little to prevent Real getting the only goal of the tie 10 minutes later.

"We can be proud of ourselves for reaching the semifinals," he told beIN Sports after the game. "It's a good run all the same.

"We were beaten by a good team who have experience of semifinals.

"When you get to the semifinals you always want more so we'll certainly try to get our revenge next year."

City are fourth in the Premier League table -- four points above local rivals Manchester United -- which would secure them a place in the qualification playoff for next season's Champions League.

With two matches of the season left to play, City are still in with a chance over taking third-placed Arsenal for an automatic place, and they host the Gunners on Sunday as they bid to make up that three-point gap.

At the Bernabeu, neither side were at their best but City in particular found it difficult to create any real openings as they sought a precious away goal and managed just one shot on target in the second leg.

Mangala admitted that losing Kompany so early had an effect on the team.

"I came on in a match that was very committed and important," the former Standard Liege and Porto player said.

"Then we conceded a bit of a lucky goal where the ball was deflected and went in. After that they were able to manage the match. We tried to create some chances but it was difficult. 

"Unfortunately we didn't score the goal that would have brought us to Milan."

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