Mancini to learn lessons of exit

MANCHESTER City boss Roberto Mancini vowed to return stronger next year after his side’s maiden Champions League campaign ended at the group stage last night.

City produced their best European performance of the season as they overcame an albeit under–strength Bayern Munich 2–0 at the Etihad Stadium, but it was not enough to progress from Group ‘A’.

Napoli’s victory over Villarreal by the same scoreline in Spain rendered the result meaningless and condemned City to the Europa League.

As Barclays Premier League pacesetters and title favourites, City seem highly likely to qualify again next year, and Mancini said: “It is my opinion that we need to improve as a squad to play better in the Champions League than this year.

“For us it will be important to improve in the next six months in the Premier League and try to win the Europa League. Then next year we can do better in the Champions League.”