Steve McManaman lambasts Man City for out-of-character trait during victory over Real Madrid

Former Manchester City man Steve McManaman has blasted the side for their naivety in letting Real Madrid back into their epic Champions League encounter.

City won the thrilling first leg of their last four tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. They put four goals past Real Madrid in the eventual 4-3 win.

City were the quickest out of the blocks, as Kevin De Bruyne netted within 90 seconds. They added a second shortly after, through in-form Gabriel Jesus.

The Etihad outfit were the better side for most of the game. Indeed, they had five more shots than the Real, and had 60 per cent of the ball.

However, the Spanish side were able to get themselves back into the game on a few occasions. A Karim Benzema brace and a Vinicius Junior goal helped Real to pull things back to the eventual scoreline.

Pundit McManaman has blasted the Citizens for allowing Real a way back into the game.

“You never accuse City of being naive but they were, at times, today. When they were 2-0 up, 3-1 and 4-2 up, they let Madrid back in the game,” he told BT Sport.

“I don’t know what it was, whether they were just overly confident because they were so far ahead, so superior and as soon they went two goals ahead they started to drop deep.”

McManaman also feels that Real now have a chance of getting back into it, when there was a chance they might not have done.

“You think how has this happened. They’ve given Madrid a slimmer of hope and when they go back there with the fans it’s a different scenario to tonight,” he added.

Rio Ferdinand, also speaking on BT Sport, revealed he thought Fernandinho made City vulnerable.

Indeed, the City stalwart was subbed on at right-back in the first half, when John Stones – deputising in place of unavailable stars Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo – came off with an injury.

“I think a big, big change in the way the game went was when Stones coming off. I think Stones’ injury destabilised the City team,” Ferdinand said.

“Unfortunately, Fernandinho at 36 years old having to play right-back against one of the most in-form wingers in the game at the moment, that was a vulnerability then in that Man City team.”

City will hope to be stronger for the second leg, and not have to rely on bit-part players, which at this point in his career, Fernandinho is.

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