Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has apologised to fans after his team's ignominious exit from the Champions League.

The La Liga leaders went out 2-1 on aggregate after being held to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. The disappointment was especially acute for the los Blancos because this season's Champions League final will be held at their home ground.

Thus, all the talk before the game had been about Madrid making it to a dream final and lifting the crown in front of their home crowd.

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 subsitution with Raul.

"I did not like the situation of the game."

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

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