Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland bemoaned a series of missed chances after Mark Hughes' side crashed out of the UEFA Cup at the quarter-final stage.
City won the second leg of their tie against Hamburg 2-1 at Eastlands but lost 4-3 on aggregate.
Elano and Felipe Caicedo scored but Elano also hit the woodwork twice and Caicedo missed a glorious chance from a few yards out as City, who also had Richard Dunne sent off, came up just short.
Ireland told ITV4: "We had a lot of chances and we didn't take them, we should have been more clinical.
"I think Caicedo had a few clear-cut chances and didn't finish them, the same with Micah Richards."
City were outplayed in the first leg but turned things around impressively at home and Ireland has called on the Blues to ensure they secure seventh spot in the Barclays Premier League and a return to Europe.
"We have to have that spirit every week," the Irishman added. "We have to pick ourselves up. We've got to get seventh if we can and not let this destroy our season."
Elano and Felipe Caicedo scored but Elano also hit the woodwork twice and Caicedo missed a glorious chance from a few yards out as City, who also had Richard Dunne sent off, came up just short.
Ireland told ITV4: "We had a lot of chances and we didn't take them, we should have been more clinical.
"I think Caicedo had a few clear-cut chances and didn't finish them, the same with Micah Richards."
City were outplayed in the first leg but turned things around impressively at home and Ireland has called on the Blues to ensure they secure seventh spot in the Barclays Premier League and a return to Europe.
"We have to have that spirit every week," the Irishman added. "We have to pick ourselves up. We've got to get seventh if we can and not let this destroy our season."
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