• Premier League

Mancini refuses to revise bleak title assessment

ESPN staff
April 13, 2012
Roberto Mancini remains sure the title is out of Manchester City's reach © Getty Images
Enlarge

Roberto Mancini still believes Manchester City will be unable to pip Manchester United to the Premier League title, despite closing the gap to five points in midweek.

Having written off his side's chances of victory after last weekend's defeat to Arsenal left the club eight points adrift of their cross-city rivals, Mancini refused to adjust his assessment despite United's surprising slip-up against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Wednesday.

However, the Italian insisted his players would give everything they have until the destination of the title is confirmed, in the event United do continue to stumble.

City face a difficult trip to Norwich on Saturday, with United welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford a day later.

"I think it is very difficult, because eight points is too much and five points is the same," Mancini said. "I think for us it is important that we finish this championship fighting. We need to do the maximum that we can do.

"Starting tomorrow, but it is difficult because playing against Norwich is very difficult because they are in good form at the moment."

He added: "They [United] have five points more, even after they played that game [against Wigan]. I think that it is difficult. You don't want to say 'We won't try' or 'We don't have any more a chance to win' but it is difficult.

"The last two seasons have been very good seasons for us. To fight with United for the top team, at least you are there - that is very important. You can lose, you can win, but ... [at least you are there]."

City produced one of their best team performances in a number of weeks as they put Swansea to the sword on Wednesday, and Mancini admitted he was proud of his team despite his bleak prognosis for the title race.

"I congratulated them on the performance and said that, even if we don't win this championship, it is important we finish well so that we can have the best performance by this club in 44 years, since the team that won the title in 1968," he added. "We played more like we used to play, but [I think] it's too late."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices