Rio Ferdinand claimed that Manchester City were ‘tapping out’ during their elimination from the Champions League against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s men have failed to reach the round of 16 for the first time since he took over, as Kylian Mbappe netted a stunning hat-trick to lead Los Blancos to a 3-1 victory at Santiago Bernabeu.

City saw their hopes crash after the Frenchman gave the lead in the fourth minute of the game following a beautiful long ball from Madrid academy product Raul Asencio.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen a Man City team lead by Pep Guardiola tapping out almost looking for the final whistle. That’s testament to what he’s produced over his tenure, they’ve been magnificent,’ said Ferdinand.

‘But tonight you can’t take anything away from RM, they’re a formidable team right now, in a moment when this Man City team are lacking any kind of confidence.

Rio Ferdinand revealed it was the first time he saw Manchester City ‘tapping out’ under Pep Guardiola’s reign 

The Spaniard’s side have failed to reach the round of 16 for the first time since he took over

Kylian Mbappe has scored a stunning hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a 6-3 win on aggregate

‘I’m looking at it and thinking what are they going to do now in terms of their form in the league and I don’t see any triggers. 

‘Kevin de Bruyne’s injured, Haaland is injured, and they’re lacking any kind of confidence and as I said they look like a team in no man’s land at the moment.’

Despite losing 3-2 on aggregate, Guardiola’s side started the game at Bernabeu with the Norwegian striker on the bench following his knee injury sustained during Newcastle’s match on Saturday.

Although there were initial doubts about Haaland’s appearance, the Spaniard has opted to leave him out for the entire game, despite the need for goals in the second half.

In his absence, Omar Marmoush – who previously scored a hat-trick against the Magpies – has taken over the striker role in the starting eleven, yet failed to create any significant danger in front of Madrid’s goal.

Ferdinand added: ‘They’ve gone from being a dominant team to a team that has fallen off a cliff at some points.

‘They had an aura for the last four, six, seven seasons where teams were beat in the tunnel, now teams are rolling their sleeves up and going we have a chance here. 

‘If we get a goal this team will fold at the moment. There was always going to be a time when there was a drop-off.’

Ferdinand added that the Citizens lost their ‘aura’ and confidence from their remarkable seasons

Despite the urgent need of goals, Erling Haaland was left on the bench following his knee injury sustained during the game against Newcastle

City have attempted to take control of the game, playing with two defensive midfielders, including Ilkay Gundogan and newcomer Nico Gonzalez, who had delivered an impressive performance against Newcastle last week.

However, they could only record 52 per cent of the ball possession and created only one big change throughout the entire match.

Their biggest opportunity came when Gonzalez scored in the 92nd minute following a set-piece near Madrid’s goal.

‘There’s a lot of mileage on these players and a lot of stress on them. When you’re winning constantly like this the demands are stressful on your body and mentally to get yourself to this level year in year out,’ said Ferdinand.

‘I’m not surprised there’s been a drop-off in this team because there’s the terrain they’ve been on is not an easy one.

‘They’ve lost a lot of confidence from being a team that walked around with a big aura.’

City’s disappointing elimination from the Champions League comes just four days before their crucial game against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Although Guardiola’s men are no longer seen as contenders for the Premier League 2024-25 triumph, they will be looking to secure a victory against the leaders, who have been struggling in their recent matches.

City will host the game against Liverpool on Sunday, after the Reds’ tense 2-2 draw against Aston Villa

Ferdinand has highlighted City’s significant loss since the departure of several key players such as Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez

Arne Slot’s side will arrive after a tense 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday, marked by Darwin Nunez’s open goal miss in the second half.

John Stones, who was forced off in the eighth minute against Madrid, has yet to undergo tests to determine if he will be available for City’s upcoming clash.

Despite the Citizens’ recent signings during the winter transfer window, Ferdinand highlights the significant loss the team has faced due to the departure of several key players.

He said: ‘Losing Sterling, Sane, Mahrez, Rodri’s out which is a massive difference, Alvarez is gone, Kyle Walker’s another one, these are players in terms of mobility that would put teams on the back foot.

‘Before anything Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vini Junior, put teams on the back foot and run behind. 

‘That’s come out of this team now and they’re having to find other ways to score goals and hurt teams, and right now it’s not happening.’