Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that missing penalties has become a "problem" for his side after Riyad Mahrez failed to convert from 12 yards in the goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
With both teams struggling to break each other down, the Citizens were presented with a perfect opportunity to open the scoring when Dortmund's Emre Can brought down Mahrez inside the area just before the hour mark.
With Erling Braut Haaland taken off at half time due to a "fever", Mahrez was allowed to put the ball on the spot despite missing a penalty in City's goalless draw away against Copenhagen two weeks ago, but the Algerian winger saw his effort comfortably saved by BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Mahrez has now missed four penalties for the Citizens since the turn of the year and has failed to convert 10 of his 32 spot kicks in his professional career.
Indeed, City have struggled with penalties under the tutelage of Guardiola, missing 25 times across all competitions since the Spaniard's arrival, more than any other Premier League club during this period.
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Guardiola was keen to praise those who have had the "courage" to take a penalty during his time at the club, but he believes that improvements need to be made if they are to come out on top in big moments, particularly when fine margins often define the outcomes of crucial matches during the latter stages of major competitions.
Asked by BT Sport whether Mahrez will be considered to take another penalty for City, Guardiola said: "We will see. Of course it's a problem.
"Since I've been here we've missed 25 penalties – it's too many. You always have to admire the courage, but missing so many penalties is a problem.
"We miss in Copenhagen, now here. We have to improve. It comes down to fine margins in this competition and these situations can make the difference.
"I admire [Mahrez's] courage. Last season Riyad scores a lot in big moments, here (against Dortmund) in the semi-finals was important. If he feels it next time, he's going to take it, but of course he's got to improve."
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Despite drawing a second successive game in the Champions League, Man City have secured top spot in Group G, while Dortmund will join them in the last 16 as runners-up.
Guardiola's side boasted 73% possession during the 90 minutes, but they were frustrated by Dortmund at Westfalenstadion and were at times caught out defensively by the likes of Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko, particularly in the first half.
"We played much better in the second half. In the first half we conceded some balls and lost some counter-attacks," Guardiola added.
"We suffered a little bit because our game on Saturday was so physically demanding. We are a little bit tired but we achieved what we wanted. We're top of the group again and in the last 16.
"Dortmund did not want to press high so we adjusted a bit our pressing. In the first half we had problems down the left side. Apparently a draw was good for them and for us as well."
City's final Group G clash will take place at the Etihad Stadium against Sevilla next Wednesday, but they must first turn their attention to Saturday's Premier League trip to Leicester City.
Oliver Thomas
