Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale has claimed that his team's gameplan against Manchester City on Tuesday night was to put in a "disciplined performance" and secure a clean sheet.

Real Madrid struggled to create openings in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Man City at the Etihad, but the Spanish giants produced another shutout to make them the favourites ahead of the return match next week.

Bale has also paid tribute to the likes of Lucas Vasquez and Jese Rodriguez, who were both given key roles in England after Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out of the match with a thigh problem.

"For us to keep a clean sheet here is very important. We would have liked to nick a goal, but it was not to be. We are happy with the performance and will look forward to the second leg at the Bernabeu," Bale told BT Sport. "We wanted to learn from our mistakes against Wolfsburg. It was a disciplined performance.

"We knew Ronaldo was injured this afternoon, but the players that came in did a fantastic job. We all work together and are united as a team. We are very, very strong at home and we like to score goals there."

Real Madrid return to La Liga action with a trip to Real Sociedad this weekend.