Big spending City on brink of Champions exit after draw with Ajax

Manchester City’s heavyspending over the past few years in a bid for Champions League success look like ending in bitter disappointment for the second successive season after a 2-2 home draw with Ajax on Tuesday left them staring at a first round exit for the second successive season. In contrast to City’s woes modest Spanish side Malaga made light of it being their first appearance in the competition by qualifying for the knockout phase - after a 1-1 draw with AC Milan - and were joined by 2004 winners Porto, who drew 0-0 away at Dynamo Kiev. City’s hopes hang by a thread as with two matches to go they are five points adrift of second-placed Real Madrid, who had to twice come from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Borussia Dortmund, who top the group on eight points. Ajax are third on four points. City, having taken just one point from their opening three fixtures - including a shock loss in Amsterdam — looked out for the count after an atrocious start. Their defence was all at sea as Siem De Yong netted a double in the opening 19 minutes. But an acrobatic effort from Yaya Toure put the English champions back in the contest and then Sergio Aguero fired home a leveller midway through the second period. However, no late winner was to be forthcoming, although substitute Mario Balotelli was denied a late penalty claim after having his shirt tugged in the area. “We did enough to win the game but we have to learn from this — we probably let ourselves down (on the goals),” said City captain Vincent Kompany. There was no less drama at the Bernabeu where Borussia Dortmund so nearly managed what City had come within minutes of achieving in their opening pool match — handing Real Madrid a defeat on their home patch before the Spanish snatched a 2-2 draw.