Manchester City are out of the Champions League after Real Madrid recorded a 6-3 aggregate win against Pep Guardiola’s side in their playoff tie.
The Citizens travelled to the Bernabeu on Wednesday hoping to overturn their 3-2 deficit from the first leg, but things went wrong for them from the off.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the fourth minute before scoring twice more to ensure Real Madrid reached the last 16 at Manchester City’s expense.
And though Nico Gonzalez managed to get on the scoresheet in second-half injury time, it was little more than a consolation for the Citizens.
Pep Guardiola went with a surprising selection in attack, with Omar Marmoush leading the line and Erling Haaland on the bench.
Plenty of Man City fans made their feelings clear on the decision during and after the match.
READ MORE: Paul Robinson says £34m Manchester City player looked ‘very short on confidence’ at Real Madrid
Manchester City fans say Omar Marmoush should not be leading the line on his own
Marmoush was isolated for most of the game against Real Madrid, leading to fans wondering why he was leading the line.
“I hope everyone sees how isolated Marmoush is up there alone,” one fan wrote on X. “It’s a miracle how Haaland scores at all.”
Another supporter said: “Can’t even blame Marmoush man he was isolated throughout the game.”
The criticism of Guardiola’s decision kept coming, with one fan saying: “
Another said: “Marmoush is not a 9… he’s an inside forward or a 10… he needs to play with Haaland not alone.”
And another said: “We need somebody who can play the striker position when Haaland is unavailable Marmoush is a great 10 not a 9.”
How Omar Marmoush fared against Real Madrid
It was always going to be difficult for Marmoush – or indeed anyone else – stepping in Haaland’s shoes in a crunch clash away at Real Madrid.
Without the focal point of Haaland in attack, Marmoush looked lost and barely had a chance all match.
| Omar Marmoush stats v Real Madrid | |
| Minutes played | 90′ |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots on target | 0 |
| Shots off target | 1 |
| Shots blocked | 1 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 4 (0) |
| Hit woodwork | 1 |
| Touches | 33 |
| Accurate passes | 11/13 (85%) |
| Key passes | 0 |
| Crosses (acc.) | 5 (0) |
| Long balls (acc.) | 0 (0) |
| Ground duels (won) | 10 (3) |
| Aerial duels (won) | 1 (1) |
| Possession lost | 13 |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Total tackles | 2 |
However, Marmoush did at least show his set-piece quality with a shot off the bar that lead to City’s consolation goal.
Guardiola’s charges will need to regroup quickly as they face Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend.
