Mancini wants City to produce EPL form in Champions League
Mancini wants City to produce EPL form in Champions League
LONDON: Roberto Mancini watched his side perform a great escape at West Brom – then told them they need to produce another in Europe.
Manchester City’s Italian boss reckons they need nine points from four games to avoid another early Champions League exit.
The Blues warmed up for Wednesday’s tie at Ajax with are markable2-1 win at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
City were reduced to 10menfor more than an hour and trailed before substitute Edin Dzeko bagged two late goals.
Mancini said: “We need nine points from the last four games — but our only thought is three in Amsterdam.
“We think about only the next game after we’ve won in Amsterdam. That will be important.”
Last season City were drawn in the “Group of Death” but Mancini reckons this season’s is even
For sure we are a better team than we were this time last year but there is still work to do. Yes, it probably is my best memory but for me it’s in the past.
— ROBERTO MANCINI
deadlierhaving already lostawayto RealMadrid and drawn at home against German champions Borussia Dortmund.
And he fears a repeat of 12 months agowhen City earned a respectable 10 points but still failed to make it to the knockout stages.
Mancini said: “I think this group is worse than last year.
“But we want to try to do everything we can to go to the next stage. I think we could be in the same situation as last year. A lot depends on this next game.”
This week marks the first anniversary of City’s incredible 6-1 win at Old Trafford.
And Mancini reckons his team have improved since demolishing their rivals.
He said: “For sure we are a better team than we were this time last year but there is still work to do. Yes, it probably ismybest memory but for me it’s in the past.”