Manchester City’s Champions League campaign came to a crushing end on Wednesday night, as they suffered a defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. The loss, combined with their defeat in the first leg, means that City will not be progressing to the knockout stage of the competition, losing 6-3 on aggregate.
City fans are understandably devastated by the result, and many have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment. While there were several players who underperformed on the night, one player in particular has borne the brunt of the fans’ anger.
The team’s lackluster performance was typified by their inability to create clear-cut scoring opportunities, and their defense was once again exposed by the clinical finishing of Real Madrid’s attackers. City’s midfield, which has been a strength of the team all season, was also strangely ineffective, failing to provide the necessary support to the defense or the attack. With Rodri injured, City’s midfield lacked the usual control and composure that the Spanish midfielder provides.
One player who was particularly culpable for City’s poor performance was Ilkay Gündogan. The German midfielder, who has been one of City’s most consistent performers this season, was strangely off-color against Real Madrid. He struggled to impose himself on the game, and his usual vision and passing range were noticeably absent. Gündogan’s lack of urgency and pressing was also a major concern, as he allowed Real Madrid’s midfielders to dictate the tempo of the game. City fans were quick to vent their frustration at Gündogan’s performance, with many calling for him to be dropped immediately. “Gündogan was absolutely shocking tonight,” tweeted one fan. “He needs to be dropped for the next game. We can’t afford to carry passengers like that.” Phil Foden, who has been impressive in recent games, could be a viable alternative to Gündogan in midfield.
While it’s unfair to pin the blame for City’s defeat solely on Gündogan, his performance was certainly a contributing factor. City’s lack of creativity and urgency in midfield was a major problem, and Gündogan’s inability to provide a spark was particularly disappointing. The German midfielder’s usual calm and composed demeanor was replaced by a lack of intensity and focus, which was evident in his sloppy passing and lack of pressing.
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, will also be coming under scrutiny for his team selection and tactics. The decision to start Gündogan in a deep-lying midfield role was a surprise to many, and it ultimately failed to pay off. The lack of width and creativity in City’s midfield was a major concern, and Guardiola’s failure to address this issue during the game was puzzling.
As City look to regroup and refocus on their domestic campaign, they will need to address the issues that have plagued them in the Champions League. Dropping Gündogan may be a drastic measure, but it’s clear that something needs to change if City are to achieve their goals this season. The team’s lack of intensity and urgency in midfield is a major concern, and Guardiola will need to find a solution to this problem if City are to succeed.
In the meantime, City fans will be left to ponder what might have been. The team’s exit from the Champions League is a bitter pill to swallow, and the fact that it was largely self-inflicted makes it even harder to take. As one fan tweeted, “We didn’t just lose to Real Madrid, we lost to ourselves. Our lack of intensity and urgency was embarrassing.”
As the dust settles on City’s Champions League campaign, one thing is clear: the team needs to regroup and refocus if they are to achieve their goals this season. The domestic campaign is still very much alive, and City will need to put their Champions League disappointment behind them if they are to succeed. Whether Gündogan will be part of that journey remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: City fans will be demanding better from their team in the coming weeks and months.
