Nathan Ake: Man City evaluating why they throw away leads

City led twice in the Champions League quarter-final first leg but ultimately fell to a painful 3-2 defeat.

Despite being 2-1 up with just four minutes remaining, late goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham turned the match in Madrid's favour, leaving City with a tough task ahead in the second leg at the Bernabeu next week.

This is not an isolated issue for Pep Guardiola's side, as they have surrendered leads multiple times this season.

Similar collapses have occurred in European matches against Sporting CP, Feyenoord, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Brentford.

Ake admitted the defeat was "hard to take" but remains optimistic about City's chances of overturning the deficit in Madrid.

"Obviously the last five minutes or so when you're winning 2-1 to give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take," Ake said.

"It's difficult to be honest. We're trying to find the reason why.

"There are little details that some games you can get away with but these kinds of games you won't get away with because they're a top team. The next one is coming thick and fast so we have to be ready."

The loss puts City under pressure ahead of a crucial period in their season.

They return to Premier League action against Newcastle on Saturday before turning their attention back to the Champions League. 

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