Mancini plays down chances
December 07, 2011 12:24:56 UK
Roberto Mancini admits Manchester City's Champions League hopes remain in the balance.Boss Roberto Mancini has downplayed Manchester City's chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stages ahead of Bayern Munich's visit on Wednesday.
City have to better Napoli's result in Villarreal in the other group match if they are to qualify. The Blues are priced at 1.53 to beat Bayern, who have already qualified as Group A winners.
Bayern are 6.00 to win the game, and the draw is priced at 4.20.
Mancini believes his side have "made mistakes" in their maiden Champions League campaign and is now resigned to the fact that City no longer have their destiny in their own hands.
City slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Munich and lost 2-1 in Naples, and to compound their European plight they could only muster a 1-1 draw with Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini said: "In my view, we've got about a 30 per cent chance. If we win and Napoli don't beat Villarreal then it'll be a big moment for us as a club."
Napoli currently lie second in Group A on eight points, one ahead of City, meaning they will reach the last 16 if they equal or better City's result. Despite the fact Bayern Munich have already secured the top spot in Group A, the German giants insist they will not go easy on Mancini's men.
The German side's manager, Jupp Heynckes, said: "This is a big match between teams who are leaders of their respective leagues - that is always a matter of prestige.
"This game is all about two teams who respect each other. City still have a chance of progressing, but obviously it's not just down to them - it depends on what happens in Villarreal too. One thing's for sure, my team will be playing to win," added the 66-year-old Bavarian club coach.
City will be without Micah Richards (calf) and Aleksandar Kolarov (groin) for the crunch match. It is also certain that Carlos Tevez will not be playing at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as a January exit nears ever closer.
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