Manchester City were humbled badly by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, falling victims to the magic at the venue yet again in a 3-0 loss in the Champions League Round of 16. Here are three stars who flopped in the big moment.
ST Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland definitely got screwed over by his teammates, because he had no help. People just were not creating chances for him, and the midfield did not produce even when they had the ball.
Still, you have to create your own luck, and Haaland simply did not do that. The Norwegian sensation looked completely out of the game and lethargic, and when he did have the ball, he gave it up to the opposition way, way too cheaply.
RW Savinho
Savinho got hooked off at the half, and he continues to prove why he is Man City’s most disappointing player this season. The young man was genuinely horrible. He was a ghost, creating nothing and barely getting any dribbles off against a Real Madrid defense that blanketed him with ease. He has to do better or leave the club.
CB Ruben Dias
Nico O’Reilly could have made this list, but Ruben Dias deserves it. He was getting dusted by multiple players on Real Madrid even without Kylian Mbappe or Rodrygo Goes being out there, and this was not the solid defensive performance the Portuguese international usually gives. You would expect more from one of your leaders.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.