Real Madrid: Ronaldo out as Manchester City ends 0-0

It was supposed to be the meeting of two European super powers -- in the end it was one of the most turgid and uninspiring Champions League semifinal contests in recent memory.

Real Madrid, the 10-time winner, played out a goalless draw at Manchester City, a team making its debut in the last four of Europe's top club competition.

The result suits Real, which was deprived of its star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to recover from the thigh problem which had troubled him over the past week.

The second leg in Madrid which takes place next Wednesday should allow Madrid to progress to the final with Ronaldo expected to return for a club which remains the most successful in the history of the competition.

Real, which also lost Karim Benzema to injury at halftime, created the better chances and only a series of fine saves by Joe Hart, the Manchester City goalkeeper, denied the visitor.

In Champions League games without Ronaldo, Real has a win ratio of just 43% -- down from 71% in the contests where he's been involved.