‘Leave my club’ – Man City fans furious with starter who won just 20% duels vs Real Madrid
Man City supporters were frustrated by Bernardo Silva’s performance despite their 2-1 win over Real Madrid on 10 December in the Champions League.
Man City managed to hold on to a narrow victory against Real Madrid under the European lights at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Erling Haaland converted a penalty after an overturned decision via VAR for Man City, as ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that the call was spot on.
In what ended up as a positive away trip in the Champions League, fans were still unimpressed with the display from Silva in the midfield.
Bernardo Silva’s decline worrying as supporters left astounded by continued decision to start him
The 31-year-old started alongside Nico Gonzalez and Phil Foden in the middle of the park as the trio looked to overpower and outclass the hosts.
Yet, it was the Spaniard who did all of the heavy lifting with both the Englishman and the Portuguese barely impacting proceedings.
Silva was rather poor from a defensive point of view as he won just two of his 10 ground duels during the game.
| Selected stats vs Real Madrid (10 December) | Bernardo Silva |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Possession lost | 9 |
| Fouls | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 1 |
| Ground duels (won) | 10 (2) |
Similarly, his ill-discipline infuriated fans as he picked up a yellow card in the 90th minute which will see him miss the Cityzens’ next Champions League tie against Bodo/Glimt in the new year.
The number 20 committed three fouls and was dribbled past once, only saved by the stunning displays from Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to keep los Blancos out.
Man City supporters were fuming with the Portugal international’s latest showing with his decline clear to see as one fan said: “Leave my club Bernardo Silva.” with another adding: “the sooner we drop Bernardo Silva the better by the way.”
Silva’s form surely hints at inevitable departure from Man City at end of season
With Man City prepared to lose Silva at the end of the campaign upon his contract expiration, it is no surprise the club have opted to not extend his deal.
At 31-years-old and slowly leaving his prime years of football, the midfielder has shown signs across the 2025-26 season that his alertness and fitness is beginning to desert him.
At his best, the ex-Monaco man is a joy to watch, yet a parting of the ways seems like the best course of action for both the Cityzens and the player.