Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits progressing into the UEFA Champions League knockout stage will be “very difficult” now after his side drew 2-2 at home with Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday.
The Sky Blues have only managed two points from four games and sit bottom of their group, led by Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on eight and seven points respectively, effectively meaning City need a miracle to progress.
The English champions had been expected to breathe life into their campaign at home to Ajax but two early Siem de Jong goals from corners had the hosts on the back foot, before strikes from Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero earned them a draw, although they had a goal dubiously ruled out for offside and a late Mario Balotelli penalty shout ignored.
“It is finished. I always believe in my team but now I think it is very difficult,” Mancini said.
“We have two more difficult games left, which we have to try and win. If we win two games, get eight points and go through, we can win the Champions League, it is simple – if our destiny is this then we should win the Champions League.”
Mancini talk about “destiny” deflects attention from what has been another miserable campaign in Europe’s elite club competition for the Italian manager.
He added: “We had a chance to win in the Bernabeu (when they conceded twice late to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid) but we made some mistakes, against Ajax away it was the same, we did not play well but we took the lead and had two chances to score the second goal but we didn’t take the chances. It was the same thing tonight, but it is finished.”