City risk elimination at the group stage for a third time in four attempts after a dismal opening four games in this year's competition.
They have just two points in Group E and now face the daunting task of needing to beat German giants Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday to be sure of maintaining interest.
Defeat to a Bayern side who have already qualified for the next stage will see them exit at the first hurdle once again
A draw will also be insufficient if there is a winner in the game between CSKA Moscow and Roma.
Draws in both matches will see the race for second spot in the group go down to the final round of matches but City would need to win at Roma and hope CSKA do not beat Bayern.
It is a precarious situation not helped by the fact that midfield pair Yaya Toure and Fernandinho - both heavily influential in last season's Barclays Premier League triumph - are suspended.
Both were sent off in City's dispiriting 2-1 home loss to CSKA last time out
After surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw in the Russian capital on matchday three, City had been looking to ignite their challenge but yet again they failed to fire.
Their slow rate of progress in Europe over the past four seasons, initially put down to inexperience, is now becoming a concern.
After winning a second domestic title in three seasons in May, City had made no secret of their determination to come of age on the European stage this term.
They played well in their first game before falling to a late deflected goal at Bayern in September but there has been little to excite from them since.
But manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose position is coming under scrutiny, has maintained his side can only be judged when their fate is known - but he knows they must raise their level.
The Chilean, who guided City to the last 16 for the first time last season after previously reaching the latter stages with Villarreal and Malaga, said: "When you have the mathematical option to qualify, you must fight for it.
"We are going to try to qualify for the next stage
It is more difficult but it is not impossible
We have six more points to play for.
"We have to take the conclusions of the season when we have finished the group and if we don't qualify it will be a step back, but you can't talk about things you don't know will happen.
"Of course we must try to find what happened with this team in Champions League
We must review a lot of things to try to understand why we are playing so low a performance."
City's European problems this season have done little to generate the fervent atmosphere they want on big nights at the soon-to-be-expanded Etihad Stadium
Coupled with this, there is also a feeling fans are yet to gain a real affinity for the competition.
Some famous results in the coming weeks could help change all that and beating Bayern would be a fine start.
Source : PA
Source: PA