Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City flops face Champions League exit

Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by The Sun

Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City flops face Champions League exit
STUNNER ... Man City are rocked by Cavani's opener for Napoli

ROBERTO MANCINI is praying for a miracle as City's Champions League hopes hang by a thread.

The Premier League leaders must beat Bayern Munich in their last group game — and hope Villarreal do them a big favour against Napoli.

Mancini said: "I give 70 per cent chance to Napoli and 30 per cent chance to us. It doesn't depend on us now but we have to hope Villarreal get a result.

"Our target was to reach the second stage but, at this moment, we depend on other teams.

"If Villarreal play a serious game we can go through. It's the Champions League and you never say never."

Boss Mancini insisted he was happy with his team's performance as they again failed to transfer their domestic form on to the European stage.

He added: "I'm only sorry for the lads. I think we lost undeservedly. We played well but we conceded two stupid goals.

"We have another game in the group but, if we don't qualify, then we have the Europa League."

Mancini revealed City's scorer Mario Balotelli was sick on the pitch and wondered whether it could have been due to a pizza he had with his girlfriend on Monday.

He said: "He was sick, yes, but he didn't have any problems. He had my permission to say hello to his girlfriend for half an hour in a pizzeria in Naples.

"But he scored a goal so maybe I should send all of my players out for a pizza.

"It's not an allergy. He was sick yesterday with a fever, it was nothing serious."

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri said: "I have a very good relationship with my players.

"I want to kiss them all, one by one!"