• Champions League

Mancini: Dortmund are better than us

ESPN staff
October 3, 2012
Marco Reus scored Dortmund's opener © PA Photos
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A stunned Roberto Mancini conceded that his Manchester City side are not as good as Borussia Dortmund after they stole an undeserved 1-1 draw at The Etihad on Wednesday.

Mario Balotelli scored a 90th minute penalty to earn City their first point of the campaign, but only after the referee had given what appeared to be a harsh handball inside the Dortmund area.

Prior to that moment Dortmund could have led six- or seven-nil, with Joe Hart in inspired form. The England keeper produced what must surely go down as the best performance of his career, and Mancini told his team they must learn quickly.

"We didn't deserve this point," Mancini told Sky Sports. "Dortmund played better than us and at the moment are a better team than us.

"We have to fight hard for every ball, we have to fight and to run. We have good players, but Borussia are more experienced than us.

"Joe saved us, he did very very well. They were unlucky."

Asked about the penalty decision that led to City's equaliser, given when Sergio Aguero hooked the ball directly at Neven Subotic's hand, Mancini said: "Maybe no [it wasn't a penalty], but I'm very happy to get it.

"I have confidence that if we don't improve it will be difficult to qualify. But this point could be like when we drew [3-3] with Sunderland [last season]. We fought back, and at the end of the season it was important.

"This could be an important point."

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