‘How can a team not be up for the Champions League?’

CITY’S players will regret the opportunities they have squandered in the Champions League in the past two seasons.

That’s the view of Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Manchester City Supporters Club.

He said: “Wednesday was very disappointing. It is difficult for me to understand how a team cannot be up for it. Every single player in the first half under-performed. I still can’t explain it.

“I wonder when I look at players, do they not realise the opportunity that has passed them by? In the first half it was reminiscent of the performance in the semi-final in Madrid last year.

“There almost seemed no belief in that semi-final. Even though they scored first, in reality all they needed to do was get a goal in Madrid, but there just seemed no belief.

“They may think they might get the opportunity again, but in reality I don’t know how many of that group will get the opportunity again.

“I’m a bit down about it. I’ve had a season ticket for 44 years and it’s probably not as bad as losing at Halifax, Lincoln and Wycombe, but it’s all about expectation these days.

“We have a fantastic squad of players, a brilliant coach – but you wouldn’t have thought that looking at that performance against Monaco.

“But I’m not unhappy with Pep, I’m more than happy with him.

“I’ve seen enough to think we have a bright future with him but, from an expectation point of view, we probably expected more this season than we are going to get.”