Speaking after the Blues’ 1-0 defeat in Dortmund, Hart said he was at a loss to explain his side’s early, but given the circumstances going into this game, inevitable exit from Europe.
“I don’t know what happened - we have let ourselves down in Europe, we’ve not qualified for the next stage and we’ve not even gotten into the Europa League,” said a disappointed Hart.
Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Ajax meant a win in Germany would have guaranteed Roberto Mancini’s men a Europa League spot – but ultimately, it was not to be.
“I think the intensity was there but when they scored it disappeared if I am being totally honest,” he continued.
“It’s a shame because we are a side that can come from behind; we’ve proved that many times, so it was disappointing.
“There was a hunger to win, but like I say, we have let ourselves down. We wanted to win in this tournament and we need to be winning.
“Congratulations to Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, I thought they were fantastic, but we should have been in the position to be fighting for a place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League tonight.
“We need to get back into the Champions League again, hopefully win the Premier League and then come back stronger to this competition next year.”
