Opinion Harsh lesson for Sky Blues

Eriksson made the right calls. The penalty awarded to Barcelona and the subsequent red card to Martin Demichelis were copybook decisions. Eriksson pointed to the spot because the momentum carried both players into the area after City’s centre-half clattered into Messi just outside the box. Perfectly legitimate.

Pellegrini should have criticised his winger Jesus Navas instead, as it was his exaggerated tumble, after colliding with Sergio Busquets, that presented Andres Iniesta with the opportunity to release Messi.

In defeat, Pellegrini rather showed a ‘small-club’ mentality — quite contrary to his claim that City are currently Manchester’s biggest club.

Pellegrini has made City the most exciting team in England but Europe is a totally different proposition. Experience and history go a long way in winning the Champions League and City face a steep learning curve at this level. It showed last night, as they were taught a harsh lesson.

City had a lot of positives to take from the encounter — the way they started to regain control in the midfield for a period in the first half and more importantly, the way they fought after being down to ten men. But technically and in terms of quality, Barcelona were in a different league and Pellegrini should have accepted that.

Maybe, buoyed by their Premier League success and some over-the-top reactions, he started to overrate his team’s chances.

This Champions League season is all but over for City and now it’s time for reflection. From his seat, to which he will sink into during the second leg, Pellegrini will hopefully reflect on the shortcomings of his side. City still have a long way to go yet to match the European elites.

(Shamik is a principal correspondent based in Kolkata)
shamik.chakraborty@expressindia.com