Dimitar Berbatov has lamented Pep Guardiola's tactics in the Champions League game between Manchester City and Lyon.
The Blues were eliminated at the hands of the French side in the Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon, which marked another failure in the competition for Guariola's side.
"I was very surprised at Pep's tactics, it was the first time I've seen him look so defensive," Berbatov wrote in his Betfair column.
"Usually, City play their own way and don't worry too much about their opponents, but on this occasion they looked like they had too much respect for Lyon.
"Pep will know what mistakes he made.
"He is always going to come in for criticism in the position he is in, especially as City have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage four times."
Berbatov also discussed Lionel Messi's future and predicted that the Argentine will stay at Barcelona.
"I don't see Lionel Messi going anywhere," Berbatov added.
"Messi leaving would take away so much magic from the club.
"If he were to leave, only very few clubs could really afford him, and Man City are certainly one of those clubs.
"I also think that with Pep there and their style of football, it could suit Messi there.
"I know many people will want to see him in the Premier League, including his critics so they could say he didn't succeed there like Cristiano."
capi9
233
Gary Neville and Berbatov are just there to criticize coaches with all of these it will not remove anything from Guardiola to be the coach of the decade
Africa8864146
20
Pep's strategy for Man City against Lyon was good. City was good defensively and also going forward. The only setback for City was lack of clinical strikers. They kept wasting chances that came their way. Had City's strikers buried those scoring chances that arose, we could be talking of something different today. Therefore city needs great, hungry and aggressive stickers. Jesus and Sterling are not good enough. Of course, they are hard working but should emprove on shooting like Gnabry and Lewarndouski for Bayern
Andy_Mac
16
People would criticise Guardiola for playing defensive when they lose are the same blokes who would criticise Guardiola for playing open football and getting exposed at the back. There was nothing wrong with the tactics. It's not Guardiola's fault that his players weren't good enough to put the ball in the back of the net. Also, after we have seen just how good this Lyon side can defend and hit on counter attacks, they definitely deserve respect. Guardiola was right after all and that's why he's one of the greatest managers in the game while people like Berbatov are only fit to be pundits.