A beaten Laurent Blanc sniped that 
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.
They were in the tie right up until the final kick, and even had a few fans up in the Gods celebrating when Aguero's dipping shot landed on the top of the net.
But while Bayern and Atletico treated the footballing public to a thriller on Tuesday night, there was never the sense that late drama was lurking around the corner at the Santiago Bernabeu.
So it proved, as the game wound down to its conclusion and City's memorable run was brought to an end.
City played their part and can be proud of what they achieved. In the end, though, Madrid had a little bit more luck and a little bit more class. Pellegrini said in the build-up that it would be a "failure" not to reach the final, but only "if the team didn’t have a performance they could have". This, then, was no failure.
.... - Goal