Manchester City's season is on the
brink of 'absolute failure' following their Champions League exit to
Barcelona, says Jamie Redknapp.
Manuel Pellegrini's
men were unable to overturn their first leg deficit at the Nou Camp on
Wednesday night as goals from Lionel Messi and Dani Alves condemned them
to a 4-1 aggregate defeat.
Their European disappointment comes
just days after a shock FA Cup loss at home to Wigan and Sky Sports
pundit Redknapp says, with City trailing Chelsea by nine points with
three games in hand in the Premier League, their season is quickly
unravelling.
City have added the Capital One Cup to their trophy cabinet, with
victory over Sunderland earlier this month, but Redknapp reckons the
club should be winning more silverware, given the money and talent at
their disposal.
"[It would be an] absolute failure [if City only won one trophy this
season] because of the money they've spent previously and the quality of
the players they've had," said Redknapp.
"It started off so well for Pellegrini but the goals have dried up of
late and it's been a difficult run for them. Now they have to gather
themselves.
"Performances against the big clubs haven't really been a problem
this year, it's been the games against the likes of Cardiff, Aston Villa
and Wigan in the cup where they've let themselves down.
"It's the motivation Pellegrini needs to be aware of and get more out
of his team. They've got Hull away at the weekend and that is one of
those banana skins.
"They've got to pick themselves up because if they don't end up with the Premier League as well it's a huge disappointment.
"I
do think it's a matter of time before City win the Champions League
because of the investment they've had. But the problem you've got is
when you've invested hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds it
looks like the only thing they're going to have at the end of the season
is the Capital One Cup.
"They should be achieving this and they should be competing with the money they've spent - but even going further than this."
Comfortable
Graeme Souness credited City's approach in Spain,
though, and said their display was a significant improvement on their
2-0 first leg loss at home.
However, he believes Barcelona - although not among his favourites to
win the Champions League - were always comfortable against City.
"If you're a City supporter you've got to be happy with that because
they came here and they didn't try to nick the game," he said.
They
tried to take Barcelona on at their own game, passing and moving and
tried to be on the front foot all the time and for that they deserve
great credit.
"But Barcelona were good enough to win and I thought they always had another gear.
"At 2-0 you're through, you don't have to bust a gut. Time and time
again the likes of Messi, who would usually drive at the back four, was
going square.
"Barcelona found themselves in a comfortable position. City were
spirited and they were far better than they were in the first game. They
can also point to the fact they should have had a penalty, Victor
Valdes' save from Edin Dzeko and their other chances - but so can
Barcelona.
"Barcelona are a bit short of where they need to be to beat Real
Madrid and Bayern Munich right now, though, in my opinion. I think it's
between Real and Bayern - but we're talking three months away."
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