• Premier League

Dzeko offers apology to Mancini

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 30, 2011
Edin Dzeko has apologised for his reaction to being substituted © PA Photos
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Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has apologised to his manager, Roberto Mancini, after reacting badly to being substituted during his side's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

On a night that saw Carlos Tevez steal the headlines for his failure to come on as a substitute, Dzeko also demonstrated his petulance by complaining when he was replaced by Nigel De Jong during the second half at the Allianz Arena.

Mancini was incensed by his players' actions and stated that it would be the "last time any player behaved like that'' after being substituted.

But while Tevez has denied that he refused to come on and has been subsequently suspended by City, Dzeko has come out to insist he is sorry for his behaviour in Munich.

"I know my reaction [to being taken off] was bad,'' Dzeko said. "I have spoken to the guys and to the coach as well. I have apologised for the reaction and Roberto has accepted it and said that everything is OK and that we have to be positive for the next game.''

Dzeko explained that he had been extra motivated to win the game because of the time he spent in Germany with Wolfsburg. "I was unhappy because we were 2-0 down and I wanted to win the game,'' he said. "It was something special for me to go back to Germany where I played for a long time. I wanted to do well and wanted the team to do well. Things didn't go well for us. That is why I was extra frustrated.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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