That sinking feeling: City's hopes of Champions League
progression look slim
Bayern Munich 13 pts - + 7
Napoli 8
pts - + 2
City
7 pts - +1
Villarreal 0
pts -10 GD
Last Group Match
City vs Bayern Munich
Villarreal vs Napoli
Roberto Mancini
has admitted that Manchester City face almost certain elimination from the
Champions League.
His side lost 2-1
at Napoli and must beat Bayern Munich at home in their final Group
A match - while hoping the Italians fail to win at Villarreal - to
prevent a demotion to the Europa League.
Manchester
United, meanwhile, will almost certainly need to avoid defeat in
their final game away to Basle to qualify for the last 16 after a
2-2 home draw against Benfica.
City's loss last
night came amid confusion over the fitness of striker Mario
Balotelli.
The Italian
scored City's goal but was sick on the pitch at half-time and
Mancini later revealed the former Inter Milan forward had been ill
with a fever the day before the game.
This immediately
raised questions about why Balotelli was selected ahead of Sergio
Aguero and Samir Nasri - and why he was allowed to visit a pizzeria
with his girlfriend the night before the match.
Double trouble: Edinson Cavani celebrates his crucial
second
Opener: Mancini has bemoaned the two goals City
conceded
Mancini added: 'He had been unwell and he had a
fever but it was only a small one. He went out the night before
with my permission. He went to meet his girlfriend but he did not
have any pizza.
'Balotelli scored a goal; maybe I should have
sent all the players out for pizza.'
The 21-year-old has had problems before with an
allergy to grass, but Mancini insisted: 'It was not his allergy. He
was sick yesterday (Monday), nothing serious.'
And the City boss added: 'I think we have a 30
per cent chance of going through but if we don't, we will make do
with the Europa League. Our life does not finish if we don't go
through. I'm disappointed with the result but not the
performance.
'We conceded two very bad goals but I think we
played quite well.'
Flaring up: The Napoli fans lit flares while Balotelli
was ill during the match
Flaring up: The Napoli fans lit flares while Balotelli
was ill during the match
