Gareth Bale reacts to Tottenham’s Champions League exit: We’ve ‘had a great run’ & must now focus on qualifying for next season’s…

UEFA Champions : Gareth Bale – Sergio Ramos, Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid

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Gareth Bale insists that Tottenham must look to secure their place in next season’s Champions League after their European adventure came to an end against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Having lost the first leg 4-0 in the Spanish capital, Spurs faced a tall order to overturn Real’s advantages, and after a goalless first half it was made impossible as a Heurelho Gomes mistake gifted Cristiano Ronaldo the only goal of the game, as Jose Mourinho’s side progress to the semi-finals – where they will face Barcelona.

But Bale believes that despite a disappointing end to their Champions League journey, Tottenham can feel proud of their achievements in what was there debut season in Europe’s elite club competition, and target a return next year – by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to get this far and it’s been great for me on a personal level,” he told ITV.

“We knew it was going to be difficult but we’ve had a great run and are proud.

“We’re only three points behind Manchester City and we’ve got to play them, Chelsea and Arsenal in the run-in to finish inside the top four.

“And we’ve got a game in hand on City.”

Spurs had four penalty appeals turned down by the Italian referee during the second leg, and Bale admitted that the little bit of luck they needed just wasn’t there, but conceded that the best team won over the two legs.

“It’s hard to take,” he added. “We lost to a better team.”

“Sometimes the penalty decisions go for you,” he continued.

“Sometimes they don’t but overall we probably lost to the better team over the two legs.

The result leaves Spurs to focus on finishing in the top four of the Premier League, where they currently ocupy fifth spot ahead of a midweek clash with north London rivals at White Hart Lane in seven days time.