English champions Manchester City face the prospect of a third Champions League group-phase exit in four years after a disastrous 2-1 loss at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
CSKA claimed a first win on English soil at the sixth attempt after Seydou Doumbia scored either side of a free-kick by Yaya Toure, who was sent off in the second half at the Etihad Stadium along with team-mate Fernandinho.
But Joe Hart, the England shot-stopper, has admitted his side have only themselves to blame for their perilous situation in the Champions League.
"We weren't good enough," he told mcfc.com.
"We gave away far too many balls.
"There is no excuse really. We didn't deserve to win and things just got worse with the red cards.
"We can only look at ourselves when we don't perform well and work out where we can go from here.
"We've given ourselves an absolute mountain to climb. We had good chances away in Moscow - we were 2-0 up - and they've come here tonight and we've given them the victory.
"It's not a good feeling but we're never going to give up - that's not who we are. We have to remain positive."
CSKA claimed a first win on English soil at the sixth attempt after Seydou Doumbia scored either side of a free-kick by Yaya Toure, who was sent off in the second half at the Etihad Stadium along with team-mate Fernandinho.
But Joe Hart, the England shot-stopper, has admitted his side have only themselves to blame for their perilous situation in the Champions League.
"We weren't good enough," he told mcfc.com.
"We gave away far too many balls.
"There is no excuse really. We didn't deserve to win and things just got worse with the red cards.
"We can only look at ourselves when we don't perform well and work out where we can go from here.
"We've given ourselves an absolute mountain to climb. We had good chances away in Moscow - we were 2-0 up - and they've come here tonight and we've given them the victory.
"It's not a good feeling but we're never going to give up - that's not who we are. We have to remain positive."