Man City have turned in some wretched displays in Europe during the last five years, but which have been the worst?
Real Madrid’s Daniel Carvajal in action with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling
Man City appointed Pep Guardiola to win them the Champions League. They never had much trouble on the domestic front, with both Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini having managed to secure silverware in the form of league titles and cups.
However, where they have consistently come up short is in the elite level of European competition. Despite possessing their significant financial muscle, it took the club five attempts to even reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
They have not fared well in Europe, winning just two knock-out ties since they first qualified five years ago.
Acquiring the services of Guardiola should see their fortunes change somewhat, with the former Barcelona coach having reached the semi-finals of the competitions in each of his seven seasons as manager.
Before the club inevitably moves on to the next level and becomes the European superpower Guardiola intends for them to be, take a look at the five worst performances Man City have displayed in the Champions League.
4th May 2016 – Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
Manchester City may have lost out to eventual winners Real Madrid by just a single goal, but considering the magnitude of this semi-final tie, it was the performance which truly sounded the death knell for Manuel Pellegrini.
The apathetic nature of Man City’s exit was demonstrated by their players failure to register more than even one shot on target at the Bernabeu. It was billed as the biggest game in the club’s season, having ground out a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
Fernando proved to be the unlucky party, deflecting in Gareth Bale’s right-wing cross after 20 minutes. The hosts didn’t even have to get out of third gear to see out the victory, leaving the travelling City faithful aghast at what was a missed opportunity.
Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany walks off to be substituted after sustaining an injury as Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane looks on
5th November 2014 – Man City 1-2 CSKA Moscow
City were on the verge of being dumped out of the competition at the group stage yet again, after imploding in dramatic fashion against CSKA Moscow. With just two points from the first three games, City looked low on confidence as they attempted to haul themselves off the bottom of the group and back into contention.
Seydou Doumbia’s first-half brace silenced the Etihad, sandwiched by Yaya Toure’s equaliser. The second half boiled over, as City’s frustrations got the better of them with both Toure and Fernandinho receiving red cards.
Considering this was much the same Russian side that City had disposed of 5-2 exactly a year previously, it was a result that nobody had seen coming.
CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia
2nd October 2013 – Man City 1-3 Bayern Munich
While Manchester City supporters might be relishing the opportunity to witness Pep Guardiola’s tactical philosophy up close this season, they could barely stomach it three years ago when his Bayern Munich side ran riot at the Etihad.
Joe Hart had a game to forget, as he fumbled Franck Ribery’s long-range strike inside the first ten minutes, before the Bavarians’ dominance finally told through quick fire goals from Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben after the break.
They enjoyed 66% of the ball, thoroughly outclassing Manuel Pellegrini’s side who were chasing shadows all night. Alvaro Negredo hauled one back for the hosts late on, before former City defender was shown a red card for a foul on Yaya Toure, but it did little to disguise the result.
Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer applauds the fans at the end of the game
24th October 2012 – Ajax 3-1 Man City
Manchester City’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the Champions League suffered yet another blow following a resounding defeat in Amsterdam. The Premier League champions had been tipped to go far in the competition, but had taken just a point from their opening two games.
Samir Nasri had given City the lead against the run of play before Siem de Jong equalised with a precise strike before half-time. Niklas Moisander headed the hosts into the leader after the break, before Christian Eriksen sealed the points with a deflected strike. The result left City bottom of Group D, and facing an uphill task to qualify.
22nd November 2011 – Napoli 2-1 Man City
Man City suffered a near-fatal blow in Naples as they were downed by Edinson Cavani’s brace. It was a result which left them with an uphill task to qualify from Group A, after hauling themselves back into pole position with successive wins against Villareal.
Cavani had given Napoli the lead with a close-range header before Mario Balotelli tapped home a leveller. However, the Uruguayan’s low strike early in the second half proved to be the match-winner and took progression out of City’s hands.
The likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Mario Balotelli displayed their class in spurts, while Sergio Aguero only managed nine minutes of action. In the end, Napoli proved too strong for the Mancunians and were well worth the victory.
Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli
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