I messed up: Mancini gives his Man City 'millionaires' a shoeing... following afternoon shopping trip

By Neil Ashton

PUBLISHED: 16:18 EST, 24 October 2012 | UPDATED: 02:01 EST, 25 October 2012


Roberto Mancini admitted he failed to prepare properly for a crucial European clash that ended with his Manchester City side staring at another Champions League exit at the group stage.

The City manager, who went on a shoe shopping expedition in Amsterdam city centre hours before their 3-1 defeat by Ajax in Group D, said they need a miracle to qualify after a night when even his own players questioned his tactics.

‘I take full responsibility, I didn’t prepare properly for this game,’ he said.

Blame me: Roberto Mancini says the defeat was his fault

Blame me: Roberto Mancini says the defeat was his fault

Deserved: Ajax outplayed their opponents

Deserved: Ajax outplayed their opponents

 

Mancini forced his players into three different changes of formation and defender Micah Richards said: ‘It’s something we have not worked on a lot. That’s twice we have gone to a back five and conceded but the manager likes it. If we want to do well with it we are going to have to work on it.’

City took a lead through Samir Nasri but Mancini conceded they lacked experience after Ajax hit back with goals from Siem de Jong, Niklas Moisander and man of the match Christian Eriksen.

Mancini, whose team are bottom of Group D, said: ‘The Champions League is only six games but we are a young club and a young team.

‘I don’t know why Joleon Lescott doesn’t jump for the second Ajax goals — blame me, I’m the manager.

‘The millionaires put everything into it but Ajax also put everything into it. It will be difficult to qualify from the group now. We need a miracle.

‘We used three different systems but I don’t think the tactics are a problem. I just didn’t prepare well for the game.’

City have lost group matches against Real Madrid and Ajax and secured their solitary point against Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad.

Richards admitted the Barclays Premier League champions ‘crumbled’ once they conceded the equaliser inside the Amsterdam ArenA.

New system: Micah Richards complained that the players were asked to play unusual formations

New system: Micah Richards complained that the players were asked to play unusual formations

‘The players just want to play. It’s a hard system for us because we are not used to it and the players prefer a 4-4-2 but he’s the manager and we will do what he says.

‘After last season when we got 10 points and didn’t get through when we got drawn in this group we knew it was going to be a tough one. We got beat by a very good Ajax side. When we went one up they were probably the better team.

‘In the second half we just crumbled once the second goal went in. I’m very disappointed with the way the lads performed.

‘I thought we were going to come here and get the three points but it wasn’t to be.’

Doubling up: Christian Eriksen scores Ajax's second goal in their win over City

Doubling up: Christian Eriksen scores Ajax's second goal in their win over City

Sky analyst Gary Neville branded Lescott’s defending ‘unforgivable’ after he failed to clear Eriksen’s cross for Ajax’s second goal.

City appear naïve in the Champions League, but Ajax chief Frank de Boer claimed their international pedigree is adequate compensation.

De Boer said: ‘They have so much experience at  international level, they have  so much quality. They are  well prepared for these games under pressure.

‘Last year they didn’t go that well. They learned from it. They have great players and they have performed under pressure and are used to playing at this level.

‘This was a crucial match for both  teams of course.  Although City had chances I  think we deserved to win this game.’

 

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Are Man City about to be 'shoed' by the Swans on Saturday!?

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dave , manchester, be happy with the 'extra' number of matches you get to see(European matches), City won't break the laws of the universe, you are a bottom half team and justice will be served soon(FFP ;-)

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Mankini is not to blame for last night as his mercs are paid millions to defend, but what he is totally guilty of, is his arrogant dismissiveness and lack of respect for teams who have a far superior pedigree in the champions league than his small club. Last year he claimed that Citeh would beat Bayern and Napoli away and got whipped in both games, This year when the draw was made, he totally dimissed the Dutch and German champions outright and claimed that his side and Madrid would qualify easily for the knockout stages, and in his post match interview in the Bernabeau, after watching his team get ripped apart by Ronaldo and Co, ( forget the score, watch the game ), He claimed that Citeh would beat Madrid at home. The clown is deluded. It takes time to sit alongside the Elite Clubs at the top table of European football, and Citeh are a million light years away, but it's funny watching them pretend they are already there, especially after witnessing last night's performance.

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Best team in England???? Just goes to show you won the league not because you were the best but because Manu,Chelsea,arsenal even Liverpool all had rubbish seasons! Even hen you only won on goal difference! And now your getting spanked in Europe! Maybe not so much Chelsea!! Lol

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Is that the same Fergie that as won the CL twice in twenty years of trying? and thrown loads of money at it! - Ray, Liverpool, 25/10/2012 13:24 ===========The same Fergie that in 20 years of trying has 2 wins, 2 Runners Up, 3 Semi-finals & 5 Quarter finals!!! How many other coaches can boast a similar record & all with ONE team!!!!!

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Unfortunately unless City fans want a group of death every year they're going to need to win some games or at least have a good Europa League run. City's european ranking is so low due to little experience and early exits they'll be in pot 4 in the group stages for a while so Mancini needs to improve his team or end up in a vicious cycle.

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Mourinho favourite to take over at the end of the season me thinks.

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@Shambo , Indianapolis....This is a football debate not a SOCCER debate!! Yes Man United were knocked out but apart from last season look at our European performance,how many quarter finals have we reached,how many semi finals have we reached,how many finals have we reached,how many CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLES HAVE WE WON?? The point in everything is that Mancini is under pressure from ABU coz of all the millions poored in the club n he has world class players but they cant deliver the goods.They are a small time club with HUGE expectations n will fall flat on their face...o wait sorry they have already!!! #GGMU

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Classic example of a great bunch of talented world class players failing collectively - the vision lacks at the coach level. Yes - City won the league last year, not by Mancini's talent but the fact that these world class players were enthusiastic as their initial season working together.. to continue from there, you need innate leadership skills at the top.. they been lucky to rebound one-two goals down against very mediocre teams in the league otherwise..

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Sack him! We want Fergie whatever it costs. - BERTIE MAGOO, STOCKPORT MASSIVE, 25/10/2012 1:57 Is that the same Fergie that as won the CL twice in twenty years of trying? and thrown loads of money at it!

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