Tuesday 26 April 2016 23:30, UK
Kit Symons believes Manchester City missed an opportunity to edge ahead in their Champions League semi-final against a Real Madrid side without Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese was expected to play on Tuesday night after missing the weekend's win over Rayo Vallecano with a thigh injury.
However, he did not make the squad and City were unable to take advantage as a cagey first leg finished goalless at the Etihad.
Karim Benzema was also a doubt for Real with injury and he was withdrawn at half-time after an ineffective first half.
Asked on Sky Sports News HQ whether the hosts showed Real too much respect, former City defender Symons said: "To an extent, yes. There was no Ronaldo and Benzema did not seem fit; they looked much better in the second half when they took him off.
"It was a great chance for City to get a goal to take away, but it's still very much an open tie. Real will be on the front foot and very offensive in the return leg, and that will give City space to counter which will give them hope.
"City have some fantastic players who can hurt teams on the break and that's what they will have to do."
Manuel Pellegrini's side rarely threatened in their first Champions League semi-final, with Kevin De Bruyne going closest with a late free-kick that Keylor Navas tipped over the bar.
However, Symons said it was "crucial" that they did not concede an away goal ahead of the second leg on May 4.
"They would have loved to have taken the lead but the key was not to concede, otherwise the tie could have been effectively over," he said.
"Real did have good opportunities and they will be the happier I am sure, but the tie is very much alive.
"But in Real's five home games in the Champions League, they have scored 18 and conceded none so that tells you the magnitude of the task for City."
