Signs of instability for Manchester City have appeared for a long time. Especially in his worst season in nine years as Man City head coach Pep Guardiola. However, the collapse against Real Madrid has provided undeniable evidence that time has caught up with this team.
This is the third time in the last 4 seasons that Guardiola and Man City have suffered a Champions League knockout defeat against Real Madrid. For the first time in his coaching career, Guardiola witnessed his team being eliminated from the Champions League before the round of 16.
Man City did not resist when Real Madrid easily won, and Guardiola's team was probably more passive than ever. But look at the Citizens' squad and it's easy to see why this group of players - a group of players who have won so many - are coming to an end.
Kevin De Bruyne, a mainstay of Man City for many years, is now 33 years old and the Belgian midfielder has been greatly affected by injuries. He didn't even start in this match he had to win.
John Stones, 30, has been out for 10 weeks due to various injuries this season. The English defender is now facing the risk of leaving the team again after only playing 8 minutes at the Bernabeu due to another injury.
In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan, 34, must have wished he would never return to the Etihad on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer. The German player is completely unfit to compete with Real Madrid's midfield.
Bernardo Silva, another 30-year-old player, was also unknown on the night Real were full of energy and confidence. In contrast, Man City's midfielders seem to be just a shadow of themselves.
The Champions League is always a real challenge for a top team, and Man City have discovered many shortcomings this season. They have only reached the play-off round after finishing 22nd in the League Phase. Finally, Real was a brutal physical test to turn Man City into the former champion.
"The better team won, they deserved it. This season in all competitions, we have played badly. I used to feel Man City was better than Real Madrid a few three seasons ago, but now everything has changed.
nothing is eternal and we must accept the reality. Now, Man City will try for the last 13 Premier League games to get into the top 4 and return to this arena once again" - Guardiola said after the loss to Real Madrid.
