Manchester City's Roberto Mancini running out of apologies
Manchester City's defeat by Ajax in Amsterdam leaves them rooted to the bottom of Champions League Group D and in danger of failing to finish third and qualify for the Europa League. After lifting the league title for the first time in 44 years at the end of last season, manager Roberto Mancini looks far from finding the formula for continental success.
After defeat to Real Madrid and a draw at home against Borussia Dortmund, the Italian blamed himself for City's latest disappointing result. So where does he need to change? BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, offers his former Leicester City team-mate some advice.
Reorganise at the back
"Micah Richards came out after the game and questioned the switch to five at the back, but I don't think that he can have a go at the manager for the defending.
"It was individual errors. Vincent Kompany didn't anticipate the cut back and James Milner lost the goalscorer for the first goal, while for the second Joleon Lescott lost out for the header and on the third Gareth Barry was beaten in midfield.
"That has been in keeping with their previous two matches in the group, when their defending has been terrible.
"However, in terms of organisation, I don't know why they persist with zonal marking.
"It is what cost them them in Amsterdam when Niklas Moisander got in front of Lescott and headed in the second goal.
"They are a big and strong side, but the system they are playing allowed one of Ajax's smaller players to get the run on them. That goal changed the game and killed City."
Acclimatise to the top level
"City are in a terrific group in terms of quality, but that happens in the Champions League and it is not going to get any easier when you bear in mind the damage that some of these results will do to the coefficient that decides the seeding of English teams in the competition.
Defensive woes on the road
Man City have now conceded in a club record five consecutive away matches in Europe.
"There is no real logic to it when you consider what they can do in the Premier League, but sometimes I think they look a little naive away from home in Europe.
"They put four forwards on the pitch at the end and had no shape. You can maybe get away with that at home, but you often get punished at this level.
"Roberto Mancini cannot keep saying that it is his fault. Sooner or later he has to make sure that it is not his fault and he puts a team out to win the game."
Learn from Ajax defeat
"Ajax were lovely to watch. Their passing and movement was excellent, they had pace and width to stretch City and if they had a decent centre forward they would have a very good chance in this competition. They are a real team.
"But as pretty as Ajax are, City could have had four or five goals. They simply did not take their chances.
"The Blues have to think about where they are going from here in the Champions League. Unfortunately for them I think they are going out.
"But if you asked a Manchester City fan if they would take retaining the Premier League and going out of the Champions League at this stage then they would take it.
"They will now have to concentrate on their domestic campaign and work out how they can do better next time."
Richards voices City formation worries
Micah Richards has criticised Roberto Mancini's decision to switch to a three-man defence in Manchester City's 3-1 loss to Ajax.
City manager Mancini made the switch with scores level in the second half of the Champions League clash but promptly saw his side concede twice in 10 minutes, leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group D with just one point from three matches.
City have switched to a 3-5-2 system on several occasions this season, but Richards revealed the players are not comfortable playing in the formation, due to a lack of practice in training.
"It is something that we've not worked on a lot," he told Sky Sports.
"We're used to a straight four and it's twice we've gone to a back five and conceded, but the manager likes it and if we want to do well we're going to have to work on it a little bit more.
"The players just want to play. It's a hard system because we're not used to it but I think the players prefer a 4-4-2 but he's the manager and we do what he says."
Richards praised Ajax's performance but admitted City were expecting to win in the Dutch capital.
Defeat leaves City able to reach a maximum of 10 points, the same total they finished on last season when they eliminated from the competition at the group stage.
"I think we got beat by a very good Ajax side tonight," he said.
"First half, when we went 1-0 up, they were probably the better team.
"But in the second half we just crumbled. Very disappointed with the lads' performance tonight.
"After last season when we got 10 points but didn't get through and when we got drawn this group, we knew it was going to be a tough one.
"But we were disappointing today, I thought we were going to come here and get the three points but it's not to be. We'll come in tomorrow and we'll see where the group's at.
"It's hard because, no disrespect to Ajax but you want to come here and win. We didn't do that tonight, but we'll look to the next game and see what we can do."
Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 live
"I was one of the weakest headers of the ball ever but if I was up against a defender who was three or four inches taller than me, but stationary, then I would have backed me.
"Zonal marking can work if everyone attacks the ball perfectly, but is the easiest system to get wrong because it all it takes is one person's concentration to slip."
Dutch coach asks how much money Roberto Mancini needs to hide his incompetence
Manchester City have had another poor night in Europe and even though they found themselves in a particularly tough Champions League group the way they have coped with it has left a lot to be desired. Going a goal ahead in the Amsterdam ArenA it looked like the Premier League champions would go on to secure the vital three points and give themselves a good fighting chance of qualifying for the next round. As it stands the club are now bottom of the group and even though it's still mathematically possible for them to qualify it's a big ask.
During the game Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini made several changes to his tactics in defence and it didn't help his team but they were already losing when he started to change things. Micah Richards said after the match that they hadn't trained much in a three at the back system but were aware the manager was fond of the set-up so the players tried their best to implement it.
Mancini has subsequently received widespread criticism and Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen took to his Twitter account and launched a scathing attack on the Manchester City manager. He said:
Now I understand....Man City is just an experiment....How many hundreds of millions does a mediocre manager need to hide his incompetence?
Raymond Verheijen is probably best know for his work with Garry Speed and they built a great base for the Welsh national team but he's also worked at clubs, including Manchester City. It's not the first time he's attacked Roberto Mancini and he was quoted by Goal.com as questioning Mancini's training methods right at the outset of his time as Manchester City manager.
"During pre-season and the first half of last season Mark Hughes had all his players available. City played each game with the same team. The team had the best Prozone [computer data] statistics of the Premier League during the first part of the season.
“The players had the highest number of sprints and the highest total sprinting distance of all the Premier League teams. After the arrival of Mancini things changed dramatically. He probably did not even look at the Prozone statistics and our best-injury record in the Premier League.
“He decided players had to do double sessions many times a week. Those sessions often lasted for two hours. Not surprisingly the players picked up eight soft-tissue injuries within the first two weeks of Mancini."
Raymond Verheijen has a reputation for speaking what he sees to be the truth and even though he's good at his job, it's thought by many that his arrogant attitude has held him back.
After 22 years...
Ajax's victory over Manchester City was their first win against English opposition on home soil since they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the 1980 European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals
Five things we learnt about Manchester City's shortcomings on European stage
1. Samir Nasri's technique
There are things you can question about Samir Nasri, but you cannot question his technique. In his Manchester City career, Nasri has produced some good displays and quite a few anonymous ones, But he has barely ever miscontrolled the ball, misplaced a pass or mishit a shot. So it was last night. Nasri played 21 quiet minutes on the right wing before receiving James Milner's pass on the left hand of the box and clipping it perfectly into the far corner. If he could just match his technique with Milner's work ethic, City would have quite a midfielder.
2. It's a team game
If the match just came down to individuals and budgets, City would have won well. But football is a combination game and Ajax's interplay, trust and movement were beyond anything City could muster. Abjuring a conventional No 9, Frank de Boer chose Christian Eriksen, a delightful little inside-forward, to lead the line. Eriksen was supported by Siem de Jong and Lasse Schoene, who exchanged passes and positions with him throughout. With Christian Poulsen passing the ball crisply, Ajax had the system to move the ball quicker than City, despite their deficit on paper, and cut through them at will.
3. Is Joleon Lescott the problem or the solution?
Roberto Mancini has never been keen to play Joleon Lescott in Europe, preferring Matija Nastasic so far this season. Last night Mancini reverted to Lescott, hoping to recreate some of that regular domestic solidity. It did not work. Lescott was part of the back four dragged too deep as City sat on their early lead, allowing Siem de Jong to equalise. When Eriksen swung his second-half corner in, Lescott did not attack it and Niklas Moisander darted in front of him to score. It was an individual error. Lescott was withdrawn.
4. What about the back three?
While there is something to be said for zonal marking, there may not be for 3-5-2. Roberto Mancini's desire this season to use a system which seems to work only in Italy might not have the support of his players. Mancini used it for around 11 minutes last night, deploying Aleksander Kolarov as a left wing-back. Gaël Clichy, though, had to join the back three and did not like it. Eriksen soon shuffled past City's back line and shot, deflecting off Clichy and in for 3-1. Mancini returned to 4-4-2, with Clichy at right-back. Despite being left-footed, Clichy preferred it.
5. Mancini's desperation
For the final 13 minutes City had Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez on the pitch. Even when they were chasing the Premier League title against Queen's Park Rangers in May, they only ever had three of them on the pitch at once. But that was how desperate Roberto Mancini was in the final minutes. Defeat meant City need to win their last three games to have a chance. Independent
Twenty-five arrested after clashes between Manchester City and Ajax fans
Fighting broke out between the two sets of supporters in Amsterdam's red light district hours before Roberto Mancini's side suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Dutch giants
GettyTwenty-five people have been arrested following violent clashes between Manchester City and Ajax supporters in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Fighting broke out in the city's red light district just hours before Roberto Mancini's side were beaten 3-1 by the Dutch club at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Large groups of opposing fans had been drinking throughout the afternoon before tensions spilled over prompting police to intervene, a spokesperson revealed.
Images of police in riot gear were aired on Dutch television, although the situation is reported to have been quickly resolved.
It is the third such incident in recent years after English and Dutch fans clashed before an international fixture in 2009 and prior to Manchester United's meeting with Ajax earlier this year. Goal
... or as the Guardian puts it ...
City’s travelling contingent endured a second successive European trip marred by trouble in the build-up, having been involved in incidents with Spanish police ahead of last month’s clash with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Police were first forced to intervene between rival supporters at 5pm local time when trouble flared after a bottle was allegedly thrown, sparking confrontations between the two groups. Arrests were made during the ensuing two hours before supporters began to make their way to the stadium.
A spokesman for the Dutch police said: “There have been 25 arrests before the Champions League match for public violence, mostly in the red light district.
“Police first took action at 5pm. Most of the fans that have been arrested are from Ajax. We were aware that it would be busy before and after the match and we had deployed extra police to deal with this.”
City’s security staff liaised closely with the Dutch authorities, with both parties confirming that the unrest was quickly dealt with and limited to public order offences and minor skirmishes.
Robbie Savage on BBC Radio 5 live
"Ajax are a team. They play for each other and looked good tonight. But where do Manchester City go from here? I think they are going out. It is only their second year in the Champions League but they've been hammered in Madrid and hammered here tonight. They've been naïve away from home."
UEFA Champions League Table Group D
Pld GD PTS
Borussia Dortmund 3 2 7
Real Madrid 3 3 6
Ajax 3 -2 3
Man City 3 3 6
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]B*ll*x in 160 Characters
Manchester City were left on the brink of Champions League elimination after Roberto Mancini’s men suffered a 3-1 defeat by Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday.Elsewhere, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Schalke at home, compounding a disappointing midweek for the British clubs in Europe’s premier club competition – Manchester United aside.Here is a selection of tweets from some top professionals past and present.
QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin (@alefaurlin) is impressed by Ajax’s start: “Ajax looks really good great football!!! A joy to watch…”
England legend Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) praises Seim De Jong’s leveller after Samir Nasri gave City the lead: “Great equaliser for Ajax. Ding De Jong. City under pressure!”
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo (@ClaroRonaldo) is enjoying the football – although he won’t be called in as a betting tipster any time soon: “Good games on in the Champions League…RT ‘@Paudie_Fegan: @ClaroRonaldo Who do you think will win, Madrid or Dortmund?’ Madrid.”
Former Ajax star Steven Pienaar (@therealstevenpi) is keeping a close eye on proceedings as City concede a second: “Goal Ajax!”
Swansea’s Wayne Routledge (@WayneRoutledge) wants to see Roberto Mancini’s reaction to falling behind: “What’s Mancini going to do here???”
Great Britain hurdler Dai Greene (@DaiGreene) is enjoying Ajax’s performance: “Loving Ajax right now!”
Ex-Aston Villa man Ian Taylor (@IanTaylor7) is concerned for City: “#MCFC in major trouble now!! #Ajax 3-1!! #ChampionsLeague”
Former Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright (@Mark__Bright) gives Mancini some tactical advice: “Push up…. Get tight….get Super Mario on and go all out for a goal…”
Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) loves seeing City toil until the Gunners concede: “Thoughts with all ex #Arsenal mercenaries at Manchester City at this difficult time…. @SamNasri19… Terrible #Arsenal defending. Terrible performance. And we all know exactly who to thank: #IvanTheTerrible!”
Reading striker Noel Hunt (@boyhunt) is not impressed by Gervinho’s attempt to win a penalty: “Gervinho had a little #FrogSplash there, poor effort, Tom Daly wouldn’t approve!!!”
Arsenal youngster Emmanuel Frimpong (@Frimpong26AFC) can’t bear to see his side losing: “Leave it.”
Netherland legend Ruud Gullit (@GullitR) is enjoying a great night for his country: “Today The Dutch have done a lot of damage to the English clubs. Great victory #Ajax. Congratulations for #FrankdeBoer and his players!”
As is George Boateng (@george1boateng): “Dutch players doing damage to English football this evening, great education is half way to success. #ManCity is missing Silva big time!”
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) is shocked by the results: “Wow, both English teams beaten tonight. Would not have called that at all before. Ajax right-back was quality tonight, modern day full-back.”
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon (@LeeDixon2) gives his extensive thoughts on the loss: “Not great was it! Poor movement up front. Lack of pace and support up front. No-one in the box. At the other end, indecisive, open. Night to forget. Steve Bould will make a difference. However it takes a long time to change habits and behaviour. Day after day after day.”
Stoke City striker Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) also chips in: “Disappointing week for the English teams in The Champions League. German football continues to impress as does some Eastern European teams. The Premier League remains the most exciting to watch in my opinion but the competition from other countries is as strong as ever now.”
City captain Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) vows they’ll bounce back: “We’ll pull together and get ourselves back on track. Defeat is part of the game, giving up isn’t. #MCFC”
Sergio Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) echoes his skipper’s sentiments: “We didn’t put up a good game and we were defeated. Things are getting tougher – but now more than ever we can’t give up.”
Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian is determined to move to the Premier League, though Shakhtar Donetsk's 25-year-old has a transfer release clause of £25m. However, the player may even take a pay cut to ensure a move to Chelsea or Spurs. Daily Telegraph
Porto's Joao Moutinho could reject Spurs and seek a move to Paris St-Germain
Tottenham may miss out on top target Joao Moutinho after the 26-year Porto midfield playmaker indicated a preference for a January move to Paris Saint-Germain. DSSC
Dutch side PSV Eindhoven want to keep hold of promising defender Riechedly Bazoer, who has just turned 16. However, the teenager is already attracting attention from Premier League sides including Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman, 22, says he will not make a move to Manchester United in January but Sir Alex Ferguson should make contact again in the summer. Metro
Liverpool are monitoring young Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet. The 18-year-old Belgian scored his first senior goal against Ekranas in a Champions League qualifier, and the Reds are preparing a £4m offer. talkSHIT
Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor will not be allowed to leave Tottenham in January, says manager Andre Villas-Boas, despite the 28-year-old not having started a game this campaign. London Evening Standard
Former Aston Villa and Norwich striker Dion Dublin does not believe racism will ever be eradicated from football. Sun
American striker Landon Donovan, 30, has admitted he may turn down the option a third loan spell at Everton in favour of going travelling across the globe, or even quitting the sport altogether.
Fifa have told goal-line technology companies Hawk-Eye and GoalRef to take out insurance in case clubs or leagues take legal action claiming the systems are not working properly. Daily Express
Steve Coppell, manager of Crystal Palace on four previous occasions, is the favourite to take over from Dougie Freedman, who left Selhurst Park earlier in the week. Times
Uefa president Michel Platini has warned Serbia they could face tough sanctions for racist abuse recently aimed at England's Under-21 players. Daily Star
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has admitted he might be losing patience with midfielder Cheick Tiote after the 26-year-old's sending off against Sunderland. Newcastle Journal
Arsenal lost to Schalke on Wednesday, but manager Arsene Wenger has already implemented a plan to make his side more combative - the first-team squad have been training with American football stars from St Louis Rams, who are preparing for their game against the New England Patriots at Wembley on Sunday. Sun
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