Manchester City’s Champions League campaign had a fitting ending | OneFootball

The best word to describe Manchester City’s Champions League campaign is disappointing. Pep Guardiola’s side never got going throughout the tournament and they crashed out of the competition last night at the hands of Real Madrid. Their 6-3 aggregate defeat and 3-1 loss last night to Carlo Ancelotti’s side is a story in itself, but it is a result of Manchester City’s disappointing Champions League campaign. The mistakes in the league phase of the competition led to last night’s chastening defeat at the Bernabeu.

Manchester City’s Champions League campaign for the 24/25 season never took flight. There were too many self-inflicted wounds for Pep Guardiola’s side to recover from. Defeats to Juventus, Sporting CP and PSG cost the world champions. The inexplicable collapse from 3 goals up against Feyenoord was perhaps a turning point in City’s Champions League campaign. It also perfectly encapsulated City’s campaign. It was inexplicable, unexplainable and Pep Guardiola’s side threw away a match they had won. From there, they limped into the knockout stage play-off, where they ran into a side that was levels above this current Manchester City squad.

READ MORE: Injuries hit Manchester City both before and during last night’s loss to Real Madrid.

Manchester City have lacked the class to beat the better sides in the Champions League. The same can be said in the Premier League. But City’s inability to beat or compete against the upper echelon of teams stood out over the two legs against Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were too good for the world champions. They were also too quick, too athletic, and too dynamic for an ageing Manchester City squad. But that also summed up City’s entire 24/25 Champions League campaign.

Manchester City got what they deserved last night at the Bernabeu as they exited the Champions League for this season. They can have no complaints as their whole campaign always appeared destined for an ending such as the one they got at the hands of Real Madrid last night. It can be a learning experience which will aid in City’s rebuild. But that’s only if those lessons are learned quickly for next season.