Mancini: Now we need a miracle

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini accepted it would take a "miracle" for his team to reach the Champions League knockout stages after last night's defeat by Ajax.

The Barclays Premier League champions were outplayed in Amsterdam as they surrendered a lead and slump to a 3–1 loss that left them bottom of their group.

Even though City led through a fine Samir Nasri strike in the Dutch capital, it came against the run of play and they were stung as the hosts hit back.

City face Ajax again at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight, before a Real Madrid home match and

travelling to Borussia Dortmund.

"It is very difficult to qualify from the group now," Mancini said. "It would be a miracle."

Mancini blamed himself for the loss: "It is my fault. I didn't prepare well for the game and I take the blame. I thought in one way and it was different.”

"When you prepare in one way and it is a different game, it is difficult.”