• Champions League

Mancini not embarrassed by CL exit

ESPN staff
December 4, 2012
Roberto Mancini cut a relaxed figure at his press conference on Monday © Getty Images
Enlarge

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims there is no embarrassment in the failure to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

City are without a win from their five Champions League games to date and have seen Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid book the spots in the knockout stages.

Mancini's men need a positive result in their final group game against Dortmund on Tuesday to stand any chance of pipping Ajax to the place in the Europa League.

Having won the Premier League last term, City's showing in Europe has been disappointing. But Mancini baulked at suggestions it has been an embarrassment.

"Embarrassment for what I don't know," Mancini said at a press conference on Monday. "We are disappointed as we wanted to go to the second stage this year.

"I think in football we need to learn that if there are other teams that play better than you and deserve to go through then you accept this. We did not play well, Borussia and Real Madrid played better than us.

"We will try again next year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close