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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini apologises to players and supporters following Champions League exit
The Italian believes his side were unfortunate to be placed in a 'difficult' group but insisted they must improve if they enter the competition again next season
7 Dec 2011 23:32:00
By Omar Shahid
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has apologised to the club's players and supporters after his side crashed out of the Champions League.
City beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday night but it was not enough as a Napoli win against Villarreal saw them through at the expense of Mancini’s men.
He told Sky Sports: "We need to improve as a team. Our group was difficult. Congratulations to Napoli for getting through.
"We are a good team always. We are a fantastic team. I am very sorry for our supporters and I’m sorry for my players because players like that should be playing in the Champions League.
"I think usually with 10 points [the amount City amassed] teams go through – always – 99% [of the time]. This is a very strange group, difficult group.
"We made some mistakes but it can happen. After Naples [where City lost to Napoli] it was difficult."
City must now settle for competing in the Europa League but their Italian coach believes his side have a chance of winning that trophy.
He continued: "We are going in the Europa League, it’s another trophy, an important trophy. We are disappointed but we want to do better next year.
"I think maybe now we think Europa League is not important but if we arrive in the final we will think it’s very important.
"I think we are now on top of the Premier League but this season will be very hard and we want to improve from last year. We want to improve in the Champions League."
Rivals Manchester United were also dumped out of the competition following their 2-1 defeat to Basel, and Mancini admitted he was unsure why English teams have struggled this season.
"It’s strange also for United to go out. It’s strange," he added.
The 47-year-old also shed further light on the situation regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
He insisted the club are reluctant to sanction a loan move, preferring a permanent transfer, despite reported interest from AC Milan.
"I don't know that situation at the moment but we want to sell Tevez, for sure," he said.
"It's difficult for us to loan him so for this reason nothing is sure. The only sure thing is that we will not let Tevez go on loan."
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City beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday night but it was not enough as a Napoli win against Villarreal saw them through at the expense of Mancini’s men.
He told Sky Sports: "We need to improve as a team. Our group was difficult. Congratulations to Napoli for getting through.
"We are a good team always. We are a fantastic team. I am very sorry for our supporters and I’m sorry for my players because players like that should be playing in the Champions League.
"I think usually with 10 points [the amount City amassed] teams go through – always – 99% [of the time]. This is a very strange group, difficult group.
"We made some mistakes but it can happen. After Naples [where City lost to Napoli] it was difficult."
City must now settle for competing in the Europa League but their Italian coach believes his side have a chance of winning that trophy.
He continued: "We are going in the Europa League, it’s another trophy, an important trophy. We are disappointed but we want to do better next year.
"I think maybe now we think Europa League is not important but if we arrive in the final we will think it’s very important.
"I think we are now on top of the Premier League but this season will be very hard and we want to improve from last year. We want to improve in the Champions League."
Rivals Manchester United were also dumped out of the competition following their 2-1 defeat to Basel, and Mancini admitted he was unsure why English teams have struggled this season.
"It’s strange also for United to go out. It’s strange," he added.
The 47-year-old also shed further light on the situation regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
He insisted the club are reluctant to sanction a loan move, preferring a permanent transfer, despite reported interest from AC Milan.
"I don't know that situation at the moment but we want to sell Tevez, for sure," he said.
"It's difficult for us to loan him so for this reason nothing is sure. The only sure thing is that we will not let Tevez go on loan."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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