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UEFA Champions League 2011/2012
- Thread starter Confidence
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Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott accepts the club's first Champions League campaign has proved a tough learning curve.
Arsenal will continue to monitor the possibility of any public sector strikes in Greece impacting on their Champions League game against Olympiacos on December 6.
Javier Hernandez feels Manchester United have already proved they have the character to come through their Champions League examination in Switzerland next month.
Lille's on-loan Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole could remain at the Ligue 1 club past the end of the season, according to president Michel Seydoux.
Malouda: Wins will turn Blues around
Florent Malouda has insisted the solution to Chelsea's current woes is simple: victories, starting in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis could not resist a dig at Manchester City after Tuesday's UEFA Champions League win at Stadio San Paolo.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned Manchester City not to expect any favours when the two sides meet on December 7.
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Wednesday 23rd November 2011
High-flying Bayern warn Man City
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned Manchester City not to expect any favours when the two sides meet on December 7.
Bayern's 3-1 win over Villarreal on Tuesday ensured their passage to the last 16 as Group A winners while Napoli's 2-1 win over City took them into second place behind the Bundesliga side.
Napoli travel to Villarreal knowing a win would guarantee them a place alongside Bayern while City know that only a win over the Bavarians would give them a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
However, Rummenigge has promised that his side will be as committed as ever in Manchester.
"We are still going to try and win in Manchester," he said. "First of all, there are points for the five-year ranking at stake, and then there are 800,000 euros to the winner.
"We are not going to give anything away." Bayern have not lost a game in a group seen by many as the most difficult of the lot.
"After winning such a tough group, all you can do is pay a compliment to the team and the coach," said Rummenigge. "The team did what we expected in that they won again."
Franck Ribery was Bayern's match-winner with two goals on the night and, after missing out on the final in 2010 due to suspension, he is hoping to make up for that next May.
"I hope that we can play in the final in Munich," he said. "That would be a dream. "We just have to keep our calm and keep playing so well and not have any fear."
High-flying Bayern warn Man City
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned Manchester City not to expect any favours when the two sides meet on December 7.
Bayern's 3-1 win over Villarreal on Tuesday ensured their passage to the last 16 as Group A winners while Napoli's 2-1 win over City took them into second place behind the Bundesliga side.
Napoli travel to Villarreal knowing a win would guarantee them a place alongside Bayern while City know that only a win over the Bavarians would give them a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
However, Rummenigge has promised that his side will be as committed as ever in Manchester.
"We are still going to try and win in Manchester," he said. "First of all, there are points for the five-year ranking at stake, and then there are 800,000 euros to the winner.
"We are not going to give anything away." Bayern have not lost a game in a group seen by many as the most difficult of the lot.
"After winning such a tough group, all you can do is pay a compliment to the team and the coach," said Rummenigge. "The team did what we expected in that they won again."
Franck Ribery was Bayern's match-winner with two goals on the night and, after missing out on the final in 2010 due to suspension, he is hoping to make up for that next May.
"I hope that we can play in the final in Munich," he said. "That would be a dream. "We just have to keep our calm and keep playing so well and not have any fear."
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Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Napoli dig at big spending City
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis could not resist a dig at Manchester City after Tuesday's UEFA Champions League win at Stadio San Paolo.
Edinson Cavani was the hero as Napoli won 2-1 in Naples, the highly-rated Uruguayan lifting the Italian side back into second in Group A with goals either side of a Mario Balotelli equaliser.
City now have to win their final game against group winners Bayern Munich and rely on a favour from winless Villarreal against Napoli to progress, and De Laurentiis believes last night's result gives the lie to the view that success in football can be bought.
"Our success proves two things: the first is that perhaps money isn't everything, as even with the budgets in order you can still go far," De Laurentiis said in quotes reported on club website www.sscnapoli.it.
"It also means that this Napoli side has a strong fibre and can give us great moments."
De Laurentiis, a prominent Italian film producer, added that the result in front of the passionate Naples fans was one of the best nights the club had experienced since he took over a team bankrupt and playing in the Italian third tier back in 2004.
"It was a night of great cinema," De Laurentiis said. "The emotions have been there so many times in these eight years and it has been a continuous sequence of great emotions, but tonight it's like making a film.
"San Paolo was wonderful as usual and has enlivened the party. Now we must continue with the same concentration.
"We expect two important matches in the league and then we'll play the final group game in the Champions League with Villarreal.
"We cannot underestimate the fact because the next round is not easy. So we must not let our guard down.
"It would be a shame not to continue this adventure."
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Garde: Lyon can still qualify
23 November 2011
Lyon are third in the table, trailing the second-placed Dutch side by three points. Ajax have a goal difference seven goals superior to the French.Nevertheless, Garde has not given up hopes of making it through the group stages just yet.
"While we are not mathematically out we believe we can qualify. It will be tough, but we can do it," Garde said."Obviously we are disappointed not to have taken the three points after the amount we threatened Ajax."
"Although we performed well and did not concede, we failed to score. Now, our two heavy losses to Madrid mean that goal difference is a problem.""We made people believe we could win and created a lot of chances too."
"I have told the players not to have any regrets. They did their best and some of them gave everything they had.""We will take heart from tonight's performance and move on to the next challenge."Lyon resume Ligue 1 action on Sunday at Auxerre.
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Results, not goals driving Gomez
23 November 2011
The goal ensured Gomez moved above Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the Champions League's top scorer this campaign, but the striker said the win - ensuring the Bundesliga leaders will finish top of Group A - mattered more.
"No, (the golden boot) is not important. It would be nice, but the group is a much more important victory," he told Goal.com.Heading into the game, a win against Villarreal and dropped points by Manchester City in Napoli would secured Bayern's spot as group winners with a game to spare.
After his withdrawal on 72 minutes, Gomez closely followed the group's other match, between City and Napoli."As I sat on the bench, I heard that Napoli took the lead. This was perfect for us, of course, because we are group winners now," he said.
"We had a really tough group, and to finish first even before the last matchday, that's really good."
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Fresh knee problems for Honda
23 November 2011
Honda, 25, flew to Spain for medical tests on his knee which flared up again in Saturday's Russian Premier League 2-1 loss to Rubin Kazan his first competitive match in almost three months.
However, CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky confirmed after the Lille defeat that Honda had felt pain in his knee on Saturday.The Russian club then chose to send Honda to Spain for a thorough medical examination.
Honda, who was nominated for the AFC Player of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced on Wednesday, looks certain to miss CSKA's clash with Anzhi Makhachkala on Sunday.
He will now await the doctor's verdict on his availability for the crucial Champions League clash with Inter on December 7.
CSKA must beat Inter to have any chance of progressing to the final 16, and Slutsky hinted after Tuesday's loss that Honda could be required even if not 100 per cent fit.
"Injury problems didn't allow us to show our best football. As soon as our players are getting a bit better and they have to go out on the pitch right away," Slutsky said.
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Champions League Group E wrap: Leverkusen late show stuns Chelsea
24 November 2011
A late goal from Manuel Freidrich sealed a dramatic win for Leverkusen as Chelsea gave up the lead to continue their poor recent run of form.Didier Drogba put the visitors ahead three minutes into the second half.
The match looked set for a draw following Eren Derdiyok's headed equaliser, before Freidrich's injury-time intervention.The result leaves Leverkusen top of Group E on nine points, with Chelsea and Valencia - who thrashed Genk 7-0 - locked on eight to leave their clash at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight a virtual knockout tie.
Ashley Cole's omission was the biggest news before the game as the England international made way for Jose Boswingwa.Michael Ballack came closest to opening the scoring for Leverkusen on 33 minutes when his looping header from a corner struck the crossbar.
The best chance of the first half came when a smart through-ball from Daniel Sturridge split open the hosts' defence and let Drogba run free. The striker rounded Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno and looked certain to score but an off-balance shot floated over the bar.
Three minutes after the break, more good work by Sturridge on the right presented the ball to Drogba, who managed to work it away from Freidrich and Omer Toprak before scooping the ball beyond Leno and into the back of the net.
With time slipping away Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt rolled the dice and changed his formation to reflect the predicament his side were in. Full-back Michal Kadlec was brought off for Derdiyok as the home side decided to go for broke.
The pay-off was almost immediate as a probing cross from Gonzalo Castro flummoxed the Chelsea defence and allowed Sidney Sam to sneak in behind them to cross back across goal for Derdiyok to nod the ball home.In injury time, Castro earned the home side a corner and Freidrich rose high to head the ball into the net and send the home supporters into a frenzy.
Elsewhere in Group E, Roberto Soldado netted a hat-trick as Valencia thrashed the Belgian Champions Genk 7-0 at the Estadio de Mestalla.Jonas' superb header put Valencia ahead inside ten minutes and Soldado doubled the lead soon after.
Valencia's captain completed his treble before the break, putting the result beyond any doubt with two well-taken goals.Further strikes from Pablo Hernandez, Artiz Aduriz and Tino Costa in the second half gave the home side their biggest margin of victory in UEFA competition.
Genk will finish bottom of the group following their heaviest defeat in Europe, and are no long able to qualify for the Europa League as a result.
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Champions League Group F wrap: Arsenal through with Dortmund win
24 November 2011
In doing so, Arsene Wenger's side made sure of first place in Group F, while Marseille or Olympiakos look most likely to claim second spot.A second-half brace from captain Robin van Persie saw the Gunners qualify with a match to spare, while Shinji Kagawa scored a late consolation for the visitors.
Dortmund appeared the hungrier of the two sides from kick-off. The German outfit almost created an opening in the first minute when Mario Goetze slipped an intelligent pass to Robert Lewandowski but Wojciech Szczesny came out quickly to collect the ball.Klopp’s side faced two significant setbacks in quick succession around the half-hour mark.
Sven Bender was carried off on a stretcher following a collision with Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.Misery then mounted for the Bundesliga champions as Goetze came off after failing to recover from a knock he picked up earlier in the half.
After a disappointing first half from the home side, Arsenal began the second period with the effort expected from a team eager to secure qualification.In the 49th minute, Van Persie continued his excellent goal-scoring form with the opener.
Alex Song showed great skill on the left flank, tricking his way past three Dortmund defenders and crossing a perfect ball to Van Persie who headed into the bottom right corner.Arsenal’s work rate allowed them to dominant large portions of the second half, with Aaron Ramsey and Song controlling the midfield, as Dortmund struggled to get back into the game.
Van Persie wrapped up victory for the home team in the 86th minute after a Mikel Arteta corner was flicked on by Vermaelen for the Dutchman to smash the ball home from two yards.The Gunners looked as though they would finish the game with comfort but a last-minute goal from Shinji Kagawa made for a nervous finale.
Lewandowski received a ball from a corner and fed it to the midfielder who finished from close range, but Arsenal held on to secure their place in the round of 16.Elsewhere in Group F, a superb late strike from Ioannis Fetfatzidis struck a dagger in the heart of Marseille's hopes of qualifying as Olympiakos picked up a surprise 1-0 win in France.
The Greeks had the better chances in the first half, drawing several fine stops from the hosts' goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.Marseille’s inability to react after the interval invited a late winner from young midfielder Fetfatzidis, whose volley from the corner of the box was brilliantly executed.
With one game remaining, Marseille are on seven points in second place, just ahead of Olympiakos on six points, while Dortmund have four.Olympiakos host Arsenal and Marseille visit Dortmund to conclude the group.
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Champions League Group G wrap: Apoel through, Porto alive
24 November 2011
Russian Premier League champions Zenit proved unable to break down their stubborn visitors at the Petrovski Stadium, leaving Apoel as surprise leaders in Group G.Elsewhere on Wednesday, Porto defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 away from home.
They sit third on seven points, one point behind second-placed Zenit.With Porto and Zenit set to meet on the final matchday, Apoel are guaranteed a place in the round of 16, regardless of the outcome of their home meeting with Shakhtar.
It would take a harsh judge to say Ivan Jovanovic's team do not deserve their place in the knockouts, after surviving a barrage of Zenit pressure in a hostile atmosphere.The hosts created countless chances through Danny and Alexander Bukharov, but Apoel held firm to remain unbeaten in the group stage.
It was Zenit who began the match with intent, and the first opportunity of the contest fell to striker Bukharov, who could not keep his early header on target.On 25 minutes, Bukharov was played in down the right channel, but he delayed his delivery.
When the scrambled cutback eventually found Roman Shirokov, the midfielder's effort was blocked on the line.Luciano Spalletti's home side remained in charge, but could not convert their tidy football and attacking threat into goals.
A misdirected Bukharov header proved to be the last action of the first half, and the players left the field shrouded in a cloud of smoke from the several flares being unleashed in the stands.At the start of the second half, a second flare produced a fog that enveloped the pitch, and referee Felix Brych took the decision to suspend the match, ushering both teams back down the tunnel.
After a further 10-minute delay, play resumed, and it was Bukharov who came closest to breaking the deadlock.He met a cross from the right with a thumping header that crashed back from the crossbar.
Apoel goalkeeper Ukra Pardo lay prostrate in his goalmouth after colliding with the upright, but Bukharov contrived to volley wide of the empty target from the rebound.Zenit continued to push, and Bukharov came within inches of scoring once again, but his toe-poked effort was hooked from under the bar by Nuno Morais.
Moments later, Danny's measured shot was palmed over by Pardo.The away side were now desperately clinging on to the draw they needed to progress.Somehow, they managed to see off the Zenit onslaught, and the final whistle led to scenes of wild celebration from the Apoel players and staff.
The stalemate leaves Zenit second and they can still win the group with victory away to Porto, combined with an Apoel defeat on the final matchday.Conversely, defeat in Portugal on December 6 will see Spalletti's side slip into the Europa League.
In the other match in the group, Porto kept their own chances of progression alive with a 2-0 win away to Shakhtar.Brazil striker Hulk broke the deadlock in the 79th minute at the Donbass Arena, with a Razvan Rat own-goal in injury team putting the result beyond doubt.
It marks a spectacular decline for the Ukrainian champions.Beaten in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Barcelona last season, they have just two points from five matches played and are consigned to last place in the group.
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Champions League Group H wrap: Barca beat Milan to seal first
24 November 2011
They are five points ahead of second-place Milan, who are guaranteed passage to the knockout stage as runners-up.After an uneventful opening period at San Siro, visitors Barca took the lead on 14 minutes with the first real attack of the game.
Lionel Messi found Seydou Keita inside the box, and the midfielder played a low pass across the face of goal.The ball was heading toward goal after hitting Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel, when Xavi made sure with a touch at the back post. The hosts should have equalised in the 19th minute, with Robinho guilty of a shocking miss.
They did level two minutes later, taking advantage of some slack defending from the La Liga champions.Clarence Seedorf's clever ball bypassed the visitors' defence, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was allowed to score against his former team from 10 yards out. Pep Guardiola's side had a glorious chance to re-take the lead on 23 minutes, with Lionel Messi the unlikely culprit of a glaring miss.
Cesc Fabregas did well to work some space on the right side of the penalty area before sliding the ball to Messi, who struck the top of the bar from three yards out.Barca restored their lead from the penalty spot on 30 minutes, when former Roma man Alberto Aquilani was guilty of pulling down Messi inside the box.
The Argentina star was booked by the referee for unsporting conduct, after his first attempt - a stop-start penalty - fooled Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.Undeterred, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner stepped up and found the corner of the net with the retake. Milan found themselves level again on 54 minutes through a moment of brilliance from Kevin-Prince Boateng.
The Ghana international gathered a loose ball on the edge of the box before sending Eric Abidal the wrong way with a clever touch.Faced one-on-one with Victor Valdes, the midfielder slammed the ball low past the Barca goalkeeper from 12 yards out.Guardiola's side were back in front for the third time in the game with a beautifully taken goal on 63 minutes.
Fabregas and Messi linked up well before the Argentine slid a precise through-ball to Xavi.And the accomplished midfielder calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, notching his second and Barca's third with what proved to be the winning goal.
This time there was no way back for Massimiliano Allegri's hosts. But with a four-point gap ahead of third-placed Plzen and just one match remaining, they can console themselves with second in the group and a spot in the round of 16.
In the other match in Group H, Marek Bakos' 41st-minute strike proved enough for Plzen to take all three points away to Belarusian title-holders BATE Borisov.The Czech champions' victory at Haradski Stadium was their first in the competition.They are now two points ahead of last-placed BATE and on track to reach the Europa League.
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Villas-Boas: I am responsible
24 November 2011
The visitors took the lead through Didier Drogba three minutes into the second half, but a header from Eren Derdiyok and an injury-time winner from Manuel Freidrich conspired to defeat Villas-Boas' men.
The result leaves Chelsea needing to defeat Valencia at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight's time to make sure of their place in the last 16 and the Portuguese coach said he was ultimately responsible for the side's failure.
"Confidence is low, but they expect the manager to inspire them," Villas-Boas said."That's my job, to motivate and inspire these people. Their talent is immense, the work rate is good but the responsibility is mine.""I have to motivate them to get a win against Wolves (on Saturday) and then against Liverpool in the Carling Cup (on Tuesday)."
"Little details are deciding our fate at the moment, but we're all committed to this squad and these players, we believe in their talent. We have to find a way out.""We're in a negative spiral of results. The team want to get out of it desperately and the only thing we can do is work even harder to achieve that."
"This is a critical moment for our team and we will need the fans behind us. We were good and solid here but, in two situations from set pieces, we left our back exposed.""Now we go into the final game against Valencia to decide our qualification. They are a team on the up and we'll need Stamford Bridge behind us to get the intensity right."
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack was involved in most Leverkusen attacks, and almost scored in the 33rd minute when his header came off the crossbar."It's always a little bit lucky if you score in the last minute, but we believed," Ballack said.
"A draw would have been deserved but we got the victory. They are not in the best moment but of course, in the end it was a little bit lucky.""Every team has difficult moments, and they are in one now. But I know their players are very competitive and I think they will come back. They have a strong side and they will be back."
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Hleb discounts Bayern threat
24 November 2011
Bayern have impressed in the group stage of European football's premier club tournament, qualifying for the knockout rounds with 13 points from five games against opponents such as Manchester City and Napoli, but Hleb feels they are not of the same level as the two Spanish powerhouses just yet."
"Bayern Munich obviously have a great team as well. However, Barcelona and Real Madrid are fantastic teams. I don't think Bayern stand a chance against them. They are unstoppable in my opinion," Hleb told Bild.
The Barcelona loanee then took the time to discuss whether Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Mario Gotze has what it takes to become as good as Barcelona's Lionel Messi and stressed that the Argentine is in a league of his own.
"There is no-one better than Messi. You can't even compare Gotze to Messi.""The gap between those two is immense and he will not become as good as Messi, who is up there with (Diego) Maradona."
Hleb, 30, joined Wolfsburg from Barcelona at the beginning of the season, but has so far been unable to make a real impact at the Bundesliga club.
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Vagner Love set for homecoming?
25 November 2011
Globoesporte claims Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo called the 27-year-old last week to ask if he would consider returning to Brazil for a second spell with the club.Love's response was positive, despite reported interest from Liga Sagres clubs Benfica, Porto and Serie A side Roma.
Love hit 23 goals while on-loan at Flamengo in 2010, but the club has failed in its attempts to bring the player back to the Brazilian Serie A since.
CSKA Moscow president Yevgeny Giner revealed last week that the club would not oppose a sale for the 27-year-old if the right offer arrived in January.
The player's willingness to swap Russia for his homeland is no secret, as Love told the Brazilian press in September he would be open for a return.
The Rio de Janeiro-born striker - capped 21 times for his country - has scored eight goals in 24 appearances for the Russian Premier League outfit in all competitions this term.
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Kevin-Prince Boateng believes that AC Milan were merely unlucky to have stumbled to a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League Group H clash.
APOEL Nicosia coach Ivan Jovanovic confessed to being "the happiest man in the world" after guiding a Cypriot club into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt believes his players' mentality was the reason behind Wednesday's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was left to rue his luck after injuries ruined their derailed their chances of getting a result against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Unai Emery praised his Valencia players after Wednesday's 7-0 win over Genk gave them a good chance of qualifying for the next round of the Champions League.
Allegri upbeat despite loss to Barca
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes there are positives to be taken out of Wednesday's 3-2 loss at the hands of Barcelona.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes his side were deserving winners in their 3-2 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League.
Andre Villas-Boas cut a frustrated figure after a 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen left Chelsea on the brink of elimination from the Champions League.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger concedes that qualifying for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League had been tough for his side.
Phil Jones will not beat himself up over the own goal that threatens Manchester United's Champions League place.
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Jose Bosingwa was the only injury absentee as Chelsea trained on Monday ahead of their all-or-nothing Champions League clash against Valencia.
Florent Malouda has insisted Chelsea will go into their decisive Champions League game against Valencia with a positive mindset.
Valencia striker Roberto Soldado has expressed his anticipation in facing Chelsea for their upcoming Champions League Group E fixture on Tuesday night.
Manchester United face a test of nerve next week against a side who have already embarrassed them once in the Champions League.
Wenger eyes unbeaten record
Arsene Wenger maintains he will not disrespect the Champions League by fielding a side incapable of beating Olympiacos in their final group match.
Andre Villas-Boas could hardly have put Chelsea's all-or-nothing Champions League clash with Valencia in starker terms.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will not dwell on disappointment if his side are eliminated from the Champions League next week.
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Mancini keeps Europe in perspective
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will not dwell on disappointment if his side are eliminated from the Champions League next week.
City's hopes of reaching the knockout stage are out of their hands and they will drop into the Europa League if they fail to beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday. And even if they do overcome the German giants at the Etihad Stadium, Mancini's men will still need Villarreal to take points off Napoli to progress from Group A.
"We should try to beat Bayern Munich and hope Villarreal can do a good game against Napoli. "But if we don't go through in the Champions League our lives will continue. "We will play in the Europa League and try to win the Europa League. We did our thing. We made some mistakes in this group and this can happen."
City had the chance to go through a fortnight ago but Napoli seized the initiative by beating them 2-1 at the San Paolo Stadium. While City have been dominant on the domestic front, they have found elite European competition a different proposition and Mancini accepts his team need time to adapt.
City may have improved rapidly in the three years since Sheikh Mansour bought the club, but they remain a work in progress. Mancini now feels he should focus on domestic competitions and hope to return for another, more concerted, shot at the Champions League next season.
He said: "When we started our season the Barclays Premier League was the first target for us. I think we should be realistic in the Champions League. "There are four or five teams who are better and ready to win a Champions League.
"For a team like us to play for the first year in the Champions League, it is difficult to win. "Maybe if you are lucky you can get into the quarter-finals, if you don't meet Barca or Real Madrid. "I think these two teams are better than us at the moment but we want to work. We want to arrive in one or two years at their level, if possible."