Manuel Pellegrini was full of praise for Joe Hart after he helped Manchester City keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The England goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep out Casemiro's 80th-minute header with his legs before placing himself perfectly to deny Pepe from close range just minutes later as City forced a 0-0 draw in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

It was the most action Hart saw on the night, in what was an extremely tight affair between the two sides, but his display when needed most was certainly not lost on manager Pellegrini.

"His saves were very important," Pellegrini said of Hart.

"Joe didn't have much work for the whole game but he is a good keeper and he made a very good double save before the one with Pepe."

Hart's performance was key in City snuffing out Madrid's attack to set up a tantalising return bout at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.