• Ajax v Manchester City, Champions League

Mancini: Defeat not an option

Roberto Mancini: 'We can't think before the game about not winning' © PA Photos

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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini knows his team must toughen up to keep their Champions League quest alive.

City have made another disappointing start in the competition having collected just one point from their opening two matches in Group D.

Alarmingly, according to UEFA statistics, they have allowed 50 attempts on their own goal during their opening loss at Real Madrid and in their draw against Borussia Dortmund last time out. It leaves them heading into the first of their back-to-back games against Ajax in the Amsterdam Arena anxious for a result.

Mancini said: "It is better that we don't concede a lot of shots, but we played against Madrid in Madrid, so it is difficult not to concede chances. We had a bad game against Dortmund, but it is important we don't give away so many chances to score.

"This group is very difficult. We haven't started very well, it will be a difficult game. People think it will be easy, but Ajax have a good young team and will play well. It is more difficult away from home.

"We can't think before the game about not winning. We have to think about winning this game.''

City found themselves in a similar situation 12 months ago after managing just one draw in games against Bayern Munich and Napoli. They went on to beat Villarreal twice in succession but still failed to progress from the group stage despite ending it with 10 points.

That meant that, despite their status as Premier League champions, City were again seeded in a difficult group - one comprising of domestic champions - this season and they must advance to improve their co-efficient.

Mancini has no doubt his players are good enough to reach the last 16 but it is a case of obtaining the results.

"It is frustrating," he said. "We are here and every group game is difficult in the Champions League. We should continue our way and if we play like this, we will win.

"We don't have experience as a club, but all of our players have Champions League experience. Maybe as a club, we need more experience, but we have good players and that's why we should be in the second stage.

"It is not easy because you need luck in this competition when you have the draw for the group. We want to play for a better seeding. We started the group so-so, but we still have a chance to go through - but we must take our chance.''

City will have to achieve their aims in Netherlands without playmaker David Silva, who remains out with a hamstring injury and has not travelled. Defender Maicon and midfielders Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia are also missing.

Ajax player to watch: Christian Eriksen made headlines this week when his agent claimed the highly-rated forward needed just "ten seconds" to snub Manchester City last summer. How better to ram that point home than with the winning goal to all but kill off City's hopes of making the knockout stages for the first time?

Manchester City player to watch: With influential playmaker David Silva out with a hamstring injury, that opens the door for Samir Nasri to step into the Spaniard's boots. The Frenchman has found opportunities limited this season, but will be keen to remind Mancini of his abilities as a creative force.

Betting: After their dramatic victory over West Brom at the weekend, back Manchester City to repeat the feat against Ajax. Mancini's men to be trailing at half-time but snatch all three points is a tempting 20/1 with bet365.

Prediction: 1-3

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