City boss lays down the law

ROBERTO Mancini has told his Champions League flops they owe him “three big performances” ahead of Manchester City’s do–or–die clash with Ajax tomorrow night.

Mancini has already admitted City need “a miracle” to salvage their Group ‘D’ campaign after taking just a point from their opening three games.

The Italian reiterated after Saturday evening’s bore draw at West Ham that the Barclays Premier League champions were “not ready” to be crowned kings of Europe.

“You should play 100 per cent every game. It’s normal, no?” he said.

“We have three games. We have to think only about Ajax at this moment and we will see what happens.”

The City boss revealed he would demand three improbable victories from his side against Ajax, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, which would see them complete a remarkable comeback to qualify.

City failed to score for the first time in almost seven months in the goalless draw at Upton Park.

Mario Balotelli was the culprit in chief, still without a goal.

Mancini had no sympathy for the 22–year–old: “He should be disappointed about this — not because he left the pitch in the last 25 minutes,” he said.


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