Whether it was Pablo Zabaleta falling over or Aleksandar Kolarov producing a comical header (both in the first 60 seconds); Nicolas Otamendi's brain-dead defending for Southampton's opener; or 
For City fans, though, this was nothing new. If they have not quite come to accept it, they are certainly familiar with this club's foibles. As one first-teamer admitted earlier this season, they have not been at the races unless the stakes are do-or-die. Sevilla away? No problem. Stoke away? Disaster.
It is a mentality that means they can look absolutely hopeless in one game and like world-beaters the next. It is, frankly, unacceptable for a top side, but it has got them this far, and it could be enough to eliminate Madrid on their own turf.
Thanks to United's own meagre season, City will likely finish in the top four regardless of their league form. That will count as some consolation, but it is a case of getting the season finished, moving on and not looking back.
It does not say much for the work done at the top of the club over the past few seasons that the overriding positive factor on yet another grim afternoon for City is that Pep Guardiola will arrive in the summer. He will turn the club on its head, even if it is crowned the best in Europe at the end of this month.
That can be the only crumb of comfort from this latest reminder of City's shortcomings.
Zabaleta, a modern City legend, is likely to be put out of his misery and leave the club he has served so well. Kolarov, not quite as highly esteemed, will go too. Barring a Guardiola masterclass, Otamendi won't be starting many games next season. Pellegrini will not be bringing on Demichelis in any position, because both will be long gone. For many, it will not be before time.
This time next year, this City line-up should be a distant memory. Wilfried Bony will go, Eliaquim Mangala (the best of City's defenders here, it must be said) is likely to follow him, Jesus Navas could go, Samir Nasri must fight for his future, Raheem Sterling will be asked to improve drastically, likewise Fabian Delph, and even Joe Hart will be put under pressure to improve.
If the prospect of stripping this team down and selling it for scrap does not provide sufficient succour, then the thought of how Kelechi Iheanacho progresses, let alone under Guardiola's guidance, surely will.
On a day when essentially all of his team-mates floundered, he not only kept his head up but ensured City were not completely embarrassed. He added another two goals to his tally, and has now got seven from 10 shots on target in the Premier League. There are few doubts about his talent and after a difficult afternoon like this there can be few about his temperament, either.
But he alone is not enough to distract from the various issues afflicting this City team. We will soon find out if Guardiola can.
Until then, this City team must quickly rouse themselves for the biggest test of all: Wednesday night at the Bernabeu. Despite everything, they just might do it. Even if they do, this team needs ripping up and starting again.
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- Goal