Manchester City Falters Again in Champions League: Pellegrini Fumes After Roma Draw
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed deep frustration after his side’s underwhelming 1-1 draw against AS Roma on Matchday 2 of the Champions League. Despite being reigning Premier League champions, City once again struggled on the European stage — a recurring theme in recent seasons.
🗣️ Pellegrini: “We Did Not Play Well”
Speaking after the match, Pellegrini did not hold back:
“We did not play well, especially in the first half. Maybe we were not precise enough in our passing and when we lost balls, we did not have enough midfield to cover. I think the biggest problem was the easy passes missed.”
His comments reflect a broader concern: City’s inability to raise their game in Europe, despite domestic dominance.
⚠️ Group E Standings (After Matchday 2)
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Bayern Munich – 6 pts
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AS Roma – 4 pts
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Manchester City – 1 pt
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CSKA Moscow – 0 pts
Having already lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in their opening match, City now find themselves in a dangerous position. The next games will be crucial if they hope to avoid another early exit from the competition.
📉 Key Takeaways:
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City lacked sharpness, especially in midfield transitions.
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Yaya Touré and the midfield unit failed to protect possession or control tempo.
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Pellegrini is searching for answers to explain why City can’t replicate their domestic form in Europe.
Unless performances improve quickly, qualification for the knockout rounds is at serious risk.
