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‘We Now Need To Concentrate On Trying To Win The Europa League’ – Manchester City Boss Roberto Mancini
Following his side's exit from their maiden Champions League campaign, the Italian manager is still keen for European success in the continent's secondary competition
14-Dec-2011 8:21:00 PM
By Jack Breeze
Getty Images
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has put the disappointment of his side’s Champions League exit to one side as he focuses on winning the Europa league instead.
Despite defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final group game, Napoli's victory over Villarreal sealed City's exit from the tournament, with rivals Manchester United also crashing out of Europe's elite competition.
The Italian boss however believes it is now time to put the disappointment behind them, and concentrate on winning the Europa league instead.
“With 10 points, 99% of the time, you will qualify for the next phase, I think that it is incredible we have so many points yet are out,” Mancini told the club's official website.
“But congratulations to Napoli, they have one more and therefore deserve to go through. Good luck to them but now we must close this chapter, difficult though it is so soon after the game.
“But I think we now need to concentrate on trying to win the Europa League because it will be good for this club if we can get to the final and win it.
“We need to win more trophies and get into the habit of winning these competitions because it will make us stronger as a team.
“Of course, we will now be playing matches on a Thursday which is closer to the weekend and obviously not ideal, but it is the same for everyone in the Europa League.”
The City boss insists his team will fare better next season after the experiences of this campaign, and learn from their Champions League experience in what proved to be a tough group.
“We know we must improve and I think we will,” he added.
“We may need to improve the strength of our squad over the next six months or so and try to win the Premier League, but I think we have to remember this was our first Champions League campaign as a club and we will be stronger for it.”
Despite defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final group game, Napoli's victory over Villarreal sealed City's exit from the tournament, with rivals Manchester United also crashing out of Europe's elite competition.
The Italian boss however believes it is now time to put the disappointment behind them, and concentrate on winning the Europa league instead.
“With 10 points, 99% of the time, you will qualify for the next phase, I think that it is incredible we have so many points yet are out,” Mancini told the club's official website.
“But congratulations to Napoli, they have one more and therefore deserve to go through. Good luck to them but now we must close this chapter, difficult though it is so soon after the game.
“But I think we now need to concentrate on trying to win the Europa League because it will be good for this club if we can get to the final and win it.
“We need to win more trophies and get into the habit of winning these competitions because it will make us stronger as a team.
“Of course, we will now be playing matches on a Thursday which is closer to the weekend and obviously not ideal, but it is the same for everyone in the Europa League.”
The City boss insists his team will fare better next season after the experiences of this campaign, and learn from their Champions League experience in what proved to be a tough group.
“We know we must improve and I think we will,” he added.
“We may need to improve the strength of our squad over the next six months or so and try to win the Premier League, but I think we have to remember this was our first Champions League campaign as a club and we will be stronger for it.”
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