Kaka to fans: Please forgive us

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has asked fans for forgiveness after the team was dumped out of the Champions League.

Real drew 1-1 with French champions Lyon - which meant they lost 2-1 on aggregate and went out in the round-of-16 yet again.

It was an especially acute disappointment for the Spaniards since they had been hoping to reach all the way to the final which will be held at their home ground - the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Marca, Kaka said: "It is a very hard blow for Real Madrid."

"The only thing we can do is ask the fans for forgiveness. We all wanted to play the final in the Bernabeu, and we could not achieve it.

"I have overcome many difficult moments in my career. We are going to get past this one together.

"We created a lot of chances to score, but did not take them.

"In the Champions League, this will cost you."

The Brazilian refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding his substitution with Raul in the second half.

"I did not like the situation of the game," he said.

"I was not angry about the change, but the scoreline.

"I was replaced by Raul, who has a lot of experience in scoring.