Liam Mackey: The famine after the feast

Having spent lavishly on a team which could dominate domestically, the long-cherished recruitment of Pep Guardiola was designed to be the final key piece in realising the European dream but, thus far, he has enjoyed no greater success than those who have come and gone before him.

Manchester City’s players celebrate their second goal, scored from the penalty spot by by Kevin De Bruyne, during the Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Picture: Javier Soriano

'Love City, Hate Uefa’ was a sentiment literally well-flagged at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night as visiting fans used a variety of means — from banners and chants to turning their backs when the pre-match competition anthem rang out — to make clear their displeasure at Manchester City’s Champions League ban.