Wed 07 Dec 2011, 8:06AM
Posted by David Clayton
Roberto Mancini was in bullish mood at yesterday’s Press conference, responding to outspoken comments emanating from Bayern Munich and Napoli in particular.
With the Blues’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, there have been several contentious quotes floating around in recent days, none more so than from Bayern executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Napoli’s controversial president Aurelio de Laurentis.
In short, there have been no tears shed from our Group A opponents that City face Europa League football if Napoli win in Villarreal – and that’s regardless of the result at the Etihad Stadium.
Martin Blackburn’s feature in The Sun captures Mancini’s thoughts perfectly. He writes: “City are emerging as a major force in the European game and Bayern's executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge took another swipe at them this week.
"He again questioned how the FA Cup winners are going to balance their books to fall in line with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
“But Mancini hit back at the German legend and plans to seek him out to find out what his problem is. The Italian said: ‘I don't understand Rummenigge's behaviour against Manchester City. For six months he's talked against us every time for Financial Fair Play.
‘Now he continues to say he hopes Napoli go through to the second stage. I don't know what's different with us. I think Manchester City are working for this FFP for the next two years.
‘But I don't understand what is happening with Rummenigge. I don't know why. On Wednesday I will ask him.’"
And there’s more. Mancini, like everyone connected to City, is growing tired with the attention seeking antics of Napoli chief De Laurentis who must be close to bringing the game into disrepute with his recent match-fixing claims.
Continuing in Blackburn’s piece, the Blues’ boss responds: “'De Laurentiis has to respect Villarreal first because I think they are a serious club and when a team plays Champions League, they play always to win.
‘And after, he should respect Sheikh Mansour because he doesn't know him. The Sheikh is a very good man and I can't think about this stupid situation.
‘Never in the Champions League has a team played to lose a game. Having lost five games I think it is important for Villarreal to win this one. ‘
But we need to make sure we beat Bayern Munich. If not we will play in the Europa League.
"We are a better team than Napoli but if they go through they will deserve it because they beat us in Naples. We must accept this.’"
How sweet would it be if our La Liga friends managed to scupper the Italians this evening? Whatever happens, our day will come, whether anyone likes it or not.
Wednesday Gossip
posted on 7/12/11
So if Napoli are a better team than City and City bashed united then Napoli are better than united going by this douche bags logic.
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Logic. Exactly the word i thought of. Mancini say they are better than Napoli yet they Drew at home and lost away. Again, Logic is the right word.
Mancini - Disrespectful while asking for respect.
lolzz
posted on 7/12/11
A man u fan saying another teams manager is disrespectful once again hypocrisy at its best.
posted on 7/12/11
It would be good to see Man City progress to the next stage, ideally along with Man U so that all four English clubs progress.
That said, I can understand why some would be cynical towards Man City's massive spending policy and question how it could possibly comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
posted on 7/12/11
Enjoy Europa Middle-East City
posted on 7/12/11
That said, I can understand why some would be cynical towards Man City's massive spending policy and question how it could possibly comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
I think the 4 English clubs have been to see the bodies involved asking about the still practised 3rd party ownership on the continent esp by Spanish and Italian clubs. It could be that they would have to declare all the finances involved which would shoot Barca and Madrid well over the limit along with both Milan clubs and Juve.
So do you think that will actually happen or that a weighting allowance will be put in place for English clubs.
posted on 7/12/11
Sorry 5 including the maris pipers who have a fair chance for next season
posted on 7/12/11
Mr. De Laurentis should go back to the film business from where he came, and keep his big nose out of Man City's affairs. As for Mr. Rummenigge, the problem with him is that he knows in the next few seasons that we will be come a major force in european football, and he is running scared. If Bayern and City are going after a player he will not get that player that he is after.
Both of these gentleman should be worring about their own clubs and not what is going on on ours.
posted on 7/12/11
GunnerBeatYou (U11644)
Watch very closely thats were you'll be next season......if your very lucky
posted on 7/12/11
As a Liverpool fan I really hope you pull it off tonight. It's not impossible - so go for it. Good luck
posted on 7/12/11
Good luck tonight guys
Need the English teams through to maintain 4 places in comp. Platini would love the opportunity to knock us back to only 3