Mancini sad for Manchester City players

23 November 2011

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini felt his side didn’t deserve to lose to Napoli last night.

The Barclays Premier League leaders were beaten 2-1 at the intimidating San Paolo Stadium to fall behind the Italians and into third in Group A.

City will now need to beat group winners Bayern Munich in their final game next month and hope winless Villarreal can upset Napoli to progress to the knockout stage.

Anything less will leave City playing in the second tier Europa League in the new year.

Mancini, whose side had won their nine previous games in all competitions, said: "I am disappointed about the result and I am sorry for the lads. I think we lost undeservedly.

"There is nothing to explain, we are a strong team and we always play well, we always play to win.

"But occasionally you can lose matches, especially in the Champions League."

City’s goalscorer Mario Balotelli, who headed over in the second half and almost got on the end of dangerous Kolarov cross, was sick during the game.

Mancini admitted the controversial forward had been suffering from a fever but was incredulous at suggestions his illness related to a visit to a Neapolitan pizzeria on the eve of the game.

He said: "He has a small fever, it is nothing serious.

"He had my permission to see his girlfriend for half an hour — it was only to say hello to his girlfriend in a pizzeria. He did not have a pizza."

City’s next game is at Liverpool in the Premier League. They will want to bounce back immediately but after a 2-1 win at Chelsea, the Reds will not be lacking in confidence at Anfield.