Manchester City players walk off dejected after Champions League defeat at the Bernabeu

Paul Merson has described Manchester City's Champions League semi-final defeat at Real Madrid as the worst performance he's ever seen in football.

Having earned a creditable goalless draw with the 10-time champions in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini's men relinquished their hopes of a maiden European Cup final appearance as Fernando's own-goal saw Real progress.

In what was a performance bereft of intensity and creativity, City's star-studded line-up managed just one shot on target at the Bernabeu and failed to create a single clear-cut chance as they were dumped out of the competition with a whimper.

"I would say that's the worst I've ever seen in football," Merson told Sky Sports' Facebook page.

"It was the Champions League semi-final and City had 15 minutes to score one goal that would have seen them through to the final. They should have thrown everyone forward - the centre-halves, everybody!

"Champions League semi-finals come around once in a lifetime so to go out in the manner they did was poor.

With £250,000 up for grabs in this season's Soccer Saturday Super 6, Paul Merson gives you his thoughts on this week's games With £250,000 up for grabs in this season's Soccer Saturday Super 6, Paul Merson gives you his thoughts on this week's games

"There will be a lot of players who came home on that plane the other day thinking: 'I won't be here next season'."

City's reluctance to throw everything at Real Madrid for a place in European football's biggest game irritated Merson.

Real, who were missing Karim Benzema and nursing Cristiano Ronaldo back to full fitness, were rarely tested and the Sky Sports pundit claimed the players would ultimately regret their poor showing.

Champions League semi-finals come around once in a lifetime so to go out in the manner they did was poor. Paul Merson on Manchester City's exit

"I saw Cardiff lose 3-0 at Sheffield Wednesday last week in a game they needed to win," he added.

"They were 1-0 down, they chased the game and lost 3-0. You can hold your hands up when that happens, at least they had a go.

"City simply didn't have a go. I couldn't believe them on Wednesday, I've never seen anything like it. Will City ever have a better opportunity to reach the Champions League final again?

Merson runs through his Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-side team as he takes on Phil Thompson this weekend Merson runs through his Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-side team as he takes on Phil Thompson this weekend

"The last time I saw something similar was when Newcastle got relegated at Aston Villa in 2009. I watched that game expecting Newcastle to have a go but, like City, they didn't."

Do you agree with Merse? Let us know using the message boards or by tweeting @SkyFootball.