Roberto Mancini concedes “the game in Naples did it” for Manchester City’s failure to qualify from their Champions League group.
It was nicknamed The Group of Death at the draw, pitting Bayern Munich, City, Napoli and Villarreal together.
Roberto Mancini concedes “the game in Naples did it” for Manchester City’s failure to qualify from their Champions League group.
It was nicknamed The Group of Death at the draw, pitting Bayern Munich, City, Napoli and Villarreal together.
Tonight the Eastlands side managed to beat Bayern 2-0, but Napoli’s 2-0 victory in Spain meant it was irrelevant.
“Usually with 10 points you always go through, 99% of the time,” Mancini told Sky Sports.
“It was a tough group and we made some mistakes but that can happen and the game in Naples did it.”
In two meetings, Napoli earned four points against Manchester City, including a 2-1 win at the San Paolo.
“Our lives aren't finished now, we will go into the Europa League and it is an important trophy for Manchester City. We will be back and we hope for better next year.
“Maybe now we think that the Europa League is not important but if you arrive in the final it is very important. I've never won the Europa League.
“We are a good team and we are sorry for our supporters and my players who deserve to play in the Champions League. But we need to improve.
“We got the hardest group, we knew that before the start. Congratulations to Napoli. It is strange for Manchester United to go out as well.”