For EPL champs, Europe is rocket science
NO RESPITE Manchester City falter in Champions League yet again, lose 1-2 to CSKA Moscow
LONDON: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said his side are suffering from a crisis of confidence after they suffered a humiliating 2-1 home defeat by CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
A woeful performance underpinned by dreadful defending, poor discipline and a lack of character caused a loss that City could ill-afford as they bid to reach the Champions League last 16.
After Seydou Doumbia scored twice a visibly frustrated City side were reduced to nine men following the sendings-off of substitute Fernandinho and goalscorer Yaya Toure.
City are without a win in four Group E games and face a daunting task to qualify, hosting Bayern Munich, who have won all four games, and travelling to AS Roma in their remaining two matches.
Since first qualifying for the Champions League in 2011 City have flattered to deceive and given that their poor run has extended to their domestic campaign, including shock defeats by West Ham United and Newcastle United in league and cup, Pellegrini acknowledged his side may have a serious problem.
“It is a crisis of confidence of course. The last two weeks we are not playing the way we normally do,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
“We must find out why by talking to the players everyday and trying to win again. It is difficult to understand why we played so bad.
“From the beginning we were nervous so we lost so many passes, we gave their two goals and really we didn’t play. It’s difficult to know why we have such low performances from important players.”
Many of Europe’s top sides achieve their elite status through their ability to change their preferred style of play to suit any opponents.
Against the Russian side, who caused City numerous problems with their rapid counter-attacks, Pellegrini said his side failed to do that. “The way we tried to play, we were not changing nothing about what we did in other games,” the Chilean added. MESSI EQUALS RAUL
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi enjoyed another landmark European night as he equaled the Champions League scoring record against Ajax but doubts remain over Luis Enrique’s Barcelona side after a stuttering start to the season.
The coach found himself in the eye of a storm after Barca suffered back-to-back La Liga defeats and although they beat Ajax 2-0 on Wednesday to book a place in the last 16, their football was far from fluid, especially in the first half.
Messi came to the rescue with a double that saw him draw level with Raul on 71 goals at the top of the Champions League all-time scoring charts.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one adrift having missed out on the chance to add to his tally in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday.
“I am happy for Leo, for the work he does for the team and because he is the number one, the best,” midfielder Xavi told reporters. Barca have nine points from four games in Group F and are a point off leaders Paris St Germain.