Manuel Pellegrini’s men were kept at arm’s length in the first half but clawed themselves back into the game as the clock ticked down, ensuring they can leave with heads held high.

A beaten Laurent Blanc sniped that Manchester City had gatecrashed the big-boys’ party by reaching the Champions League semi-finals, but Manuel Pellegrini’s men did not look out of place as they battled – in vain – at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blues had surpassed all expectations to get this far and, after beating Paris Saint-Germain and forcing Blanc into his bitter remark, nobody could argue that they did not deserve their place among Europe’s elite.

But if they hoped that they could exploit the spaces left by Madrid’s forwards, as they have done so well in this competition, they were ultimately frustrated.

It was supposed that Zinedine Zidane’s side would be more favourable opponents than either Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid.

But for much of the first half, Madrid had City at arm’s length. Thanks to Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco, los Blancos skilfully evaded the visitors’ pressing system, one that has worked perfectly on so many European nights this season. Madrid’s manoeuvring rendered Pellegrini’s plan almost useless.

That is the kind of control that will be demanded of City when Pep Guardiola takes charge of this squad – making as many changes to it as he sees fit – but for now the Blues played the way that has served them so well.

So often in the biggest Champions League games, they have won the ball high up the pitch and set their attackers free within 30 yards of goal. But unable to steal possession, Sergio Aguero was isolated. He was not helped by the fact that Kevin De Bruyne, with whom he has struck up a deadly partnership this season, was marginalised out on the left. It made the task of overcoming Fernando’s cruel own goal insurmountable.

Sevilla have won 14 of their last 15 home European games but were dismantled by City back in November. Pellegrini’s side went to Kiev, on the back of exiting the FA Cup having rested their entire first team, and vindicated the manager’s decision by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in their history. It was not perfect in Paris but their two away goals – and their midfield tenacity – laid the foundations for an accomplished second leg victory, and their first ever appearance in the final four.

It may be suggested Sevilla are more suited to the Europa League, Kiev not good enough at this level and that PSG were underwhelming. Whatever the truth, Madrid were a class above City’s previous opponents.

But City did not lie down and this was by no means the kind of shambolic performance City have put in so regularly in the Premier League. Far from it. This was further proof that these players are transformed for the big European occasion. They have not beaten a team in the Premier League’s top six all season and could be lucky to finish in the top four, but at the same time thoroughly deserved their place in the semis.

And for all their first-half struggles, they by no means disgraced themselves here, even after losing Vincent Kompany to yet another galling injury in the first 10 minutes.

In fact, they went for it. With the dream of a final appearance fading, they approached the second half with increased vigour and opened themselves up in search of what would have been a vital away goal. It meant Joe Hart kept them in it at times but that is what they have come to expect from England’s No.1 in this competition.

Pellegrini replaced Toure with Raheem Sterling with 30 minutes remaining, allowing De Bruyne to move into the middle. It was the only change he could have made, and when Kelechi Iheanacho came on for Jesus Navas City completely threw caution to the wind.

Goal.com…..