Man City crashed out of Champions League like 'a small team', says Dimitar Berbatov

07.05.2022 - 21:01 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Dimitar Berbatov believes that there is 'no explanation' for why Manchester City lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez had given City what looked to be an unassailable lead in the 73rd minute of the game to make it 5-3 on aggregate. However, two goals in stoppage time from Rodrygo ensured Real sent the match into extra time.

In the first period of extra-time Karim Benzema was fouled in the area to gift Madrid an opportunity to win the game. The Frenchman dusted himself off and dispatched the penalty to break the hearts of City fans.

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Manchester United's former striker Berbatov was at a loss to explain the defeat when he spoke to Betfair. "I don't have an explanation about what happened to Man City against Real Madrid, they reminded me of Bayern Munich in 1999 against Man United," he said.

"It was exactly the same, two goals in the final minutes. If a small team, who don't have that much talent and class concede two goals at the end of the game, we'll say it's because they are a small team with a small mindset and with no winning mentality.

"With it happening to a team like Man City, I don't even know how to find the right words to explain how this team of all teams, with so many winners, can let in two goals after the 90 minutes in a Champions League semi-final. Yes, they were playing Real Madrid and you can argue that they are a big team with big players, but come on, in the last minute of the game.

"They had to be more concentrated and focused, they should know how to hold that result. I don't think it's a mentality issue for City, it's unexplainable.

"Sometimes you have games like this where you have a great