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Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City can still qualify for Champions League last 16: 'Villarreal will not finish with zero points'
The Italian coach is hoping that the Spanish outfit, so far without a point in Group A, can do his side a favor to help it reach the knockout stage despite Tuesday's setback
Nov 22, 2011 6:08:00 PM
By George Ankers
Getty Images
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes his side can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League despite a 2-1 loss away to Napoli that means it no longer controls its own destiny
The defeat means that City is relying on Villarreal, which has yet to pick up a point in its five group games so far, to stop the Italian side in its tracks. At the same time, Mancini's side will attempt to topple leaders Bayern Munich in the final round of group matches in December.
Speaking after the match to Sky Sports, Mancini was bullish. “I think we should believe because it’s not clear that Villarreal will get no points [against Napoli],” he insisted. “They could win or take a draw but I don’t think they’ll finish with zero."
“We wanted this because it’s our mentality, but now, just because we lose this game, I don’t think it’s finished. In the Champions League this can happen, but this is football and we have another game. Never say never.”
With the game slipping away in the second half, some questioned why Mancini waited until the 81st minute to bring on Sergio Aguero from the bench, but the manager defended his decision not to risk going all-out on the attack.
“We didn’t want to leave any space. If we conceded a third goal, it was finished. In the last 20 minutes, we had four or five chances, but their keeper was fantastic.”
The Italian coach went on to express his satisfaction with the amount of chances his side created, but was less impressed with the two goals conceded.
“I think we didn’t deserve to lose this game but, at the same time, we should think that we can score in every game, at least three or four. But in the Champions League, if you concede two goals, two stupid goals… [you risk losing]."
Mancini admitted he was unsure exactly what to say to his players ahead of their potentially futile showdown with Bayern on Dec. 7.
“I don’t know,” he conceded when asked how he would restore his players’ belief.
“I think for us, it’s the first time we play in the Champions League, but I don’t think that Villarreal will lose another game. I don’t see why they can’t draw or win.”
The defeat sees City on seven points in Group A, one point behind Napoli, but Villarreal’s failure to record any points at all so far guarantees that Mancini’s men will drop into the Europa League if they fail to overturn their deficit.
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The defeat means that City is relying on Villarreal, which has yet to pick up a point in its five group games so far, to stop the Italian side in its tracks. At the same time, Mancini's side will attempt to topple leaders Bayern Munich in the final round of group matches in December.
Speaking after the match to Sky Sports, Mancini was bullish. “I think we should believe because it’s not clear that Villarreal will get no points [against Napoli],” he insisted. “They could win or take a draw but I don’t think they’ll finish with zero."
“We wanted this because it’s our mentality, but now, just because we lose this game, I don’t think it’s finished. In the Champions League this can happen, but this is football and we have another game. Never say never.”
With the game slipping away in the second half, some questioned why Mancini waited until the 81st minute to bring on Sergio Aguero from the bench, but the manager defended his decision not to risk going all-out on the attack.
“We didn’t want to leave any space. If we conceded a third goal, it was finished. In the last 20 minutes, we had four or five chances, but their keeper was fantastic.”
The Italian coach went on to express his satisfaction with the amount of chances his side created, but was less impressed with the two goals conceded.
“I think we didn’t deserve to lose this game but, at the same time, we should think that we can score in every game, at least three or four. But in the Champions League, if you concede two goals, two stupid goals… [you risk losing]."
Mancini admitted he was unsure exactly what to say to his players ahead of their potentially futile showdown with Bayern on Dec. 7.
“I don’t know,” he conceded when asked how he would restore his players’ belief.
“I think for us, it’s the first time we play in the Champions League, but I don’t think that Villarreal will lose another game. I don’t see why they can’t draw or win.”
The defeat sees City on seven points in Group A, one point behind Napoli, but Villarreal’s failure to record any points at all so far guarantees that Mancini’s men will drop into the Europa League if they fail to overturn their deficit.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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