Río Ferdinand said that Manchester City was “hitting” during its elimination of the Champions League against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola's men have not been able to reach the 16th round for the first time since he took over, since Kylian Mbappe scored an impressive hat-trick to take whites to a 3-1 victory in Santiago Bernabéu.
City saw his hopes in the clash after the Frenchman gave the advantage in the fourth minute of the game after a beautiful long ball of the product of the Madrid Academy Raul Asencio.
The situation only got worse when Mbappe humiliated Josko Gvardiol with his second goal, followed by another blow in the second half.
'It is the first time I see a Man City team led by Pep Guardiola taking almost looking for the final whistle. That is a testimony of what he has produced during his term, they have been magnificent, '' Ferdinand said.
'But tonight you can't take anything from RM, they are a formidable team at this time, at a time when this Man City team lacks confidence.
Río Ferdinand revealed that it was the first time he saw Manchester City 'playing' under the reign of Pep Guardiola
The Spanish side has failed to reach the 16 for the first time since he took over
Kylian Mbappe has scored an impressive hat-trick to take Real Madrid to a 6-3 victory in aggregate
'I am looking at it and thinking what they are going to do now in terms of their form in the league and I do not see any triggers.
“Kevin de Bruyne, Hared, Haaland, is injured, and lack some kind of trust and, as I said, they look like a team in anyone's land right now.”
Despite losing 3-2 in aggregate, Guardiola's team began the game in Bernabéu with the Norwegian striker at the bank after his knee injury suffered during Newcastle's game on Saturday.
Although there were initial doubts about Haaland's appearance, Spanish has chosen to leave it out throughout the game, despite the need for goals in the second half.
In his absence, Omar Marmoush, who previously scored a Hat -rick against Las Uracas, assumed the role of the striker in the initial eleven, but could not create any significant danger against Madrid's goal.
Ferdinand added: 'They have gone from being a dominant team to a team that has fallen from a cliff at some points.
'They had an aura during the last four, six, seven seasons, where the teams were defeated in the tunnel, now the teams are rolling the sleeves and going, we have an opportunity here.
'If we get a goal, this team will be folded at this time. There would always be a time when there was a fall.
Ferdinand added that citizens lost their 'aura' and the confidence of their notable seasons
Despite the urgent need for goals, Erling Haaland stayed on the bench after his knee injury suffered during the game against Newcastle
City has tried to take control of the game, playing with two defensive midfielders, including Ilkay Guondogan and the newcomer Nico González, who had delivered an impressive performance against Newcastle last week.
However, they could only register 52 percent of the possession of the ball and create only a great change throughout the game.
His biggest opportunity occurred when González scored in the 92nd minute after a piece near the goal of Madrid.
'There is a lot of mileage in these players and a lot of stress in them. When you are constantly winning like this, the demands are stressful in your body and mentally to reach this level year after year, “Ferdinand said.
'I am not surprised that there has been a fall in this team because the land in which they have been is not easy.
“They have lost a lot of confidence because it was a team that walked with a great aura.”
The disappointing elimination of the city of the Champions League occurs only four days before its crucial game against Liverpool at the Etihad stadium.
Although Guardiola's men are no longer seen as a contender for the triumph of the Premier League 2024-25, they will seek to ensure a victory against leaders, who have been fighting in their recent games.
City will organize the game against Liverpool on Sunday, after the time of 2-2 of the Reds against Aston Villa
Ferdinand has highlighted the significant loss of the city since the game of several key players such as Julian Álvarez and Riyad Mahrez
The Arne Slot team will arrive after a tense 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday, marked by Darwin Núñez's lack of goal in the second half.
John Stones, who was forced in the eighth minute against Madrid, has not yet undergone to determine if it will be available for the next crash of the city.
Despite the recent signings of citizens during the winter transfer window, Ferdinand highlights the significant loss that the team has faced due to the game of several key players.
He said: 'Losing Sterling, Sane, Mahrez, Rodri is out, which is a big difference, Álvarez has left, another of Kyle Walker, these are players in terms of mobility that would put the teams on the back.
'First of all, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vini Junior, put equipment on his back and ran back.
“That has come out of this team now and have to find other ways to score goals and damage the teams, and at this time it is not happening.”