Pat Nevin believes Manchester City lack the type of players needed to play a conservative game-plan against football's elite teams.
The Sky Blues lost 2-1 against both Barcelona and Liverpool in the last couple of weeks, while insisting on a 4-4-2 formation in which Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri roamed forwards.
Speaking to Off The Ball tonight, Pat felt manager Manuel Pellegrini's approach was brave, but too bold.
"I don't know if they've got a duo at the club that can do that for them and do it to such a standard - and then add a bit of creativity. I don't think they're that type of group," said the former Chelsea and Everton midfielder.
"I thought it was a wee bit over-bold and they certainly paid the price for it."
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is rarely bold in an attacking sense and in yesterday's Capital One Cup final win over Tottenham, he played centre-back Kurt Zouma in the midfield slot normally occupied by holding midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Kurt Zouma
"I suspected that was going to happen because nobody was allowed near the training ground for three days before it. He was working on something," said Pat.
"As soon as I saw that team being named, before the game I thought the score would be 'Spurs nil, Chelsea something'. I just didn't [Tottenham] scoring against it."
Pat felt 80 per cent of Spurs' attacking impetus was stymied by Mourinho's decision to play a centre-back in the midfield zone that Christian Eriksen likes to roam into.
He also believes Liverpool are simply easing Daniel Sturridge back in, after he was not named in the starting lineup for the win over City.
"At his best he walks into the team. But if you've been out for a long period of time, you're going to struggle to get back to your best. Things like match fitness. Match fitness means it doesn't hurt when you run. He's not got that yet," said Pat.
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