Mancini: City won’t stay unbeaten

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that it will be difficult for his side to finish the season without losing a game, but is happy with the way his team are currently playing.

A 3-1 win over Newcastle continued the Etihad Stadium outfit’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, making it 11 wins and one draw from 12 games.

Despite the excellent form his side are currently experiencing, the Italian coach doubts that City will still be unbeaten in May.

“I hope we continue like this,” he told The Telegraph.

“But I think in the 26 games we have left, we will reach a time when we lose a game, I’m sure of it.

“I’m happy for the players, we’ve been playing well because of them and, at the moment, we have improved a lot.

“As players, as a team, we are very strong now but the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead. For this reason, it’s important we know we can score goals and win games in a row,” he stated.

Mancini has a star-studded squad at his disposal, but singled out Mario Balotelli for special praise; the Italy international scored the opener against Newcastle from the penalty spot.

“It’s impossible that Mario will ever miss a penalty. Don’t ask me why!

“Mario is a very important player because he’s a great player, like all the players at Manchester City.

“He’s become better and better and I’m trying to help him. But he deserves all the praise because he’s doing all the work, I’m not doing it.

“I’m just trying to help him not waste his talent and become the player he can become,” Mancini concluded.

City have an all-important trip to take on Napoli in San Paolo on Tuesday night, which will give Mancini an idea of his team’s chances of progression from Champions League Group A.

By Gareth McKnight

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