• Champions League

Hart: We didn't even fight

ESPN staff
December 4, 2012
Joe Hart has no answer for why Manchester City failed so badly in Europe this season © PA Photos
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Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said the club had let themselves down again in the Champions League as they ended their dismal campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Despite fielding a virtual second string side, the German champions still had enough to beat City at a canter, Julian Schieber grabbing the only goal of the game in the second half.

City had a chance to rescue a point but Sergio Aguero's late effort was saved by Roman Wiedenfeller. Their defeat means City finish the group stage without a win and did not even make it into the Europa League.

"We have let ourselves down. We need to be winning," Hart told Sky Sports.

"I think Borussia and Real Madrid have done fantastic but we should be fighting until the last day to be in the competition and we weren't.

"We should have been in their position and we weren't. We've only got ourselves to blame."

Hart rejected the notion that another Champions League defeat would have any impact on the Manchester derby on Sunday, as City look to preserve their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

"We've been disappointing in Europe but we've been fantastic in the league and consistent.

"So I don't think there are any worries about that but we need to address it to get in that Champions League again. Hopefully we can win the league then we'll be able to deal with it next year."

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