Sport Station: Manchester City

Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts

Mancini wants more from Johnson

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is demanding more from Adam Johnson despite the England winger playing a key part in the 5-2 Carling Cup win at Wolves.
Johnson scored the equaliser and created the second goal for Samir Nasri as City booked their place in the quarter-finals with five goals in a 27 minute spell but Mancini believes the former Middlesbrough player can still do better and was critical of his role in Wolves' second from Jamie O'Hara.
He said: "Sometimes he thinks, 'Okay, in this game I scored one goal, I did an assist, that is enough.' I think Adam, because he is young, can improve a lot. He needs to think in a different way."
He added: "He needs to think, 'I scored one goal, I did one assist, I should continue because I want to score another goal and another assist, and run back to defend'.
"He can do this if he wants. My opinion is this, he has everything to become one of the top wingers."
Mancini added: "Adam is young, he is in his third season in the Premier League. I am disappointed when he doesn't put everything on the pitch. Tonight he played well, but for the second goal Wolves scored, he never followed his opponent. Adam is the only one winger we have in the team.
"He cannot play every game, it is impossible, but if he wants to improve, he can have a lot of chances to play."
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy took consolation from their performance, saying: "That was an abject lesson in finishing. But I was pleased with our performance.
"That sounds crazy when you've just been beaten by five, but I was happy.
"We started well, and deserved the lead. The fact we didn't hang on to the lead was nothing to do with defending badly. They [City] are all top players. They won't be made to work harder than they were tonight, that's for sure."

football.co.uk

Balotelli heads firework safety drive

Just days after being forced to flee his burning home after some late-night pyrotechnics that went wrong, Mario Balotelli has emerged as the unlikely face of a firework safety campaign.

The 21-year-old Manchester City star, who scored twice in the 6-1 demolition of Manchester United on Sunday, has denied being responsible for setting off the fireworks which triggered Saturday's blaze.

But he has readily agreed to front a safety campaign warning children of the dangers of fireworks ahead of the annual British festival of Guy Fawkes night on November 5.

"The newspapers got the story wrong about me and the fire at my house," Balotelli was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying on Tuesday.

"I didn't set any fireworks off, it was a friend of mine. I didn't know anything about it until I heard the shouting coming from the bathroom.

"Luckily, nobody was injured, and my friend apologised to me for the damage to my house. It was a really stupid thing for him to do, someone could have been really hurt, and I was really, really angry with him about it.

"It is important message that children should not mess with fireworks. They can be very dangerous if they are not used in the right way. People should follow the firework code."

football.co.uk

AC Milan reveal 'passion' for Balotelli

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has admitted that he has a passion to bring Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli to the club.

The 21 year old Italian forward scored a brace in a 6-1 thrashing over Manchester United on Sunday for City against their fierce rivals. His recent form has not gone unnoticed in his home country.

‘Balotelli is my passion, he's a great player,’ Galliani told Sky Italia.

‘Take him to Milan? Who knows, for now it remains a passion.’

With Balotelli being a self confessed AC Milan fan, he has always been determined to play for the club despite his upbringing with Milan rivals Inter. The forward was once pictured wearing an AC Milan shirt while playing for Inter, a move which caused disruption at his former club.

City are not willing to sell Balotelli having only signed him shortly over a year ago, although a rumoured £40 million has been mentioned it may not be enough to tempt them into selling just yet.

football.co.uk

Man Utd 1-6 Man City: Report

Six-up City crush United

Controversial striker Mario Balotelli provided the spark as Manchester City stormed Old Trafford to humiliate rivals Manchester United 6-1.

Hours after more headlines about his off-field antics following a fire at his home, Balotelli struck twice to set up a convincing win for the Barclays Premier League leaders over 10-man United.

Balotelli also won the free-kick which led to a straight red card for United defender Jonny Evans before Edin Dzeko struck twice and Sergio Aguero and David Silva added to the tally.

United claimed a consolation with a fine goal from Darren Fletcher 10 minutes from time but they were ran ragged in the dying moments as City struck three times after the 88th minute.

City's stunning victory not only lifted them five points clear of United and underlined their title credentials but shattered a host of statistics.

In recording only their second win at Old Trafford since 1974, City inflicted United's first home defeat since April 2010 and ended their run of 19 consecutive home league wins.

It left the watching Glazers, United's owners, hoping for better luck as they flew to Wembley by private helicopter to watch their other team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the NFL tonight.

Balotelli had returned to the side after suspension in midweek as one of six changes.

United showed similar rotation from their Champions League win over Otelul Galati with fit-again defender Rio Ferdinand among those to come in while Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic dropped out.

It was the hosts who made the early running with Ashley Young twice testing Micah Richards down the left, winning a free-kick and a corner.

United threatened again when Young bent in another free-kick but Balotelli was back to head clear.

Wayne Rooney went down in the box under a challenge from Vincent Kompany but referee Mark Clattenburg saw nothing untoward.

Despite their quieter start, it was City who took the lead after 22 minutes through Balotelli.

Silva fed Milner and the midfielder pulled the ball back for Balotelli to place a low, first-time shot beyond the reach of De Gea from 18 yards, finding the right corner.

He marked the goal with self-deprecating humour by lifting his shirt to reveal a T-shirt saying, "Why Always Me?".

United responded but Anderson and Rooney both shot straight at Joe Hart.

United had another good chance when Rooney pulled the ball back from a Young cross but Evans badly miskicked.

Kompany was booked for bringing down Danny Welbeck as United tried to launch another counter-attack but City held firm until the break.

United's problems then increased considerably as Evans was sent off within two minutes of the restart for denying Balotelli a goalscoring opportunity.

Balotelli stayed on his feet until crossing the 18-yard line as Evans pulled back his arm but Clattenburg awarded a free-kick outside the area and then showed the defender the red card.

United survived the resulting set-piece and breathed again shortly afterwards when Clattenburg gave nothing after Richards collided with Anderson and appealed for a penalty.

Another chance came as Balotelli picked out Aguero with a deep cross but the Argentinian failed to connect with a volley and Richards missed the target.

Young went close as United countered but his mishit first shot rebounded off Milner and he was rushed into guiding a second attempt wide.

United applied more pressure with Rooney shooting at Hart again but City made their numerical superiority count with a well-worked second goal for Balotelli just before the hour.

Silva caught the home defence with a brilliant ball for Milner inside the area and Balotelli arrived unmarked to turn in his cross for a sixth goal in five games.

Chris Smalling then made a vital interception in front of goal as Balotelli threatened to grab a hat-trick.

City were in complete control and claimed a third after 69 minutes as Milner played Richards into space on the right and he duly squared for Aguero to slide home from six yards.

Roberto Mancini decided to take off Balotelli with 20 minutes remaining and he left the field quietly to take the congratulations of his team-mates on the bench.

His replacement Dzeko almost scored a fourth City goal within moments of entering the field with a low shot which rolled just wide.

Dzeko had another chance as United were caught out again but De Gea produced a fine save.

United clawed one back as Fletcher curled in a fine effort from long distance but City upped the tempo with three more in the closing minutes.

Joleon Lescott was free to cross at the back post as a free-kick was flicked on and the ball rebounded in off Dzeko.

Silva then broke clear to slide the ball under De Gea before the Spaniard released Dzeko to complete the rout.

end

football.co.uk

City learn new trick with comeback win

Manchester City may have paid a club record £38 million to bring Sergio Aguero and his dazzling Latin American skills to the Etihad Stadium, but it is a finish from barely two yards out which could become one of the most remembered of his time at the club.
The Argentina striker's winner against Villarreal in the third minute of stoppage time last night secured a 2-1 victory which has given City's hopes of qualifying from their Champions League group a real boost.

On a night in which Wayne Rooney's two penalties against Otelul Galati got Manchester United's own campaign back on track, failure to beat Villarreal would have been a real blow to City's morale as well as their prospects ahead of Sunday's derby at Old Trafford.

For a while, it looked as though they might not even get a draw. Cani's early goal looked as though it would set up the most crushing disappointment in Manchester this side of the Stone Roses reunion gigs.

Just as well Roberto Mancini had almost £40 million-worth of goalscorer to bring off the bench then, though not before he had introduced Gareth Barry and James Milner into the fray.

What makes the late victory so noteworthy is that City have so rarely been able to achieve them under Mancini. In the past 12 months they had come from behind to grab victory just once before last night, a 4-3 home win over Wolves back in January.

There has been a handful of other times when they have scrapped back to claim draws - most recently the 1-1 draw against Napoli on their first match in the Champions a month ago

That lone result against Wolves looks even more isolated when you consider that, in the same period, they have lost seven times after conceding the first goal

While Sheikh Mansour's billions have funded the hasty assembly of a star-studded squad at City, those petrodollars have not been able to foster a team spirit among them.

The group of players that Mancini has put together have had to cultivate their own winning mentality, something which has been distinctly absent from City's recent history.

Remember, even in that one season under Sven-Goran Eriksson's management and Thaksin Shinawatra's financial backing which kicked off the club's transformation in 2007-08, City only finished ninth, below Portsmouth and Blackburn. The change in the respective complexions of those three clubs in the intervening three years shows just how quickly things can change in football.

Since then, the City squad is virtually unrecognisable, with only Micah Richards and Joe Hart able to remember the days when Stuart Pearce was the gaffer.

With almost no links to even their recent past, City have had to go about creating their own history, and it is wins like last night's which will do just that. A regulation 3-0 victory over an average Villarreal side would have been just another win, one which would have pleased Mancini, no doubt, but would not have taught him anything new about his players.

Judging by his ecstatic reaction to Aguero's late strike, playing poorly and still winning was a much greater source of satisfaction for the Italian boss. His players can now look back upon this win as an example of them sticking together even as things looked bleak and getting the job done, something surely have to do again and again if they are to achieve their lofty ambitions.

And, in the short term, it provides the ideal boost for the City camp ahead of the biggest Manchester derby in the league for many a year this weekend.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The show will begin with an hour of talk, anectodes (sic) and opinion taking in two intertwining careers that have spanned almost forty years in football, TV and radio. Following this will be a half hour, no-holds barred Q&A session where the controversial duo will put themselves on the line with anything you want to throw at them!" - The blurb for Andy Gray and Richard Keys's 'Live & Loud UK Tour 2011' is sure to pack out civic centres from Worthing to Wolverhampton. Who wouldn't want to hear hilarious, uncensored about getting sacked over a sexism row and...er... um...

FOREIGN VIEW: "The unique link between the old Juventus and the new Juve is our captain, Alessandro del Piero. He wanted to stay with us for one more year, and this will be his last season wearing the black-and-white jersey." - Juve president Andrea Agnelli announces that the great Italian forward will be leaving the club next summer, by which time he would have played his 19th season for the Bianconeri.

COMING UP: Plenty of fun and games to be had before tonight's Champions League fixtures. Euroscout will be running the rule over Marseille forward Loic Remy, West Brom striker Shane Long will be put Under the Microscope and Jim White will be filing his latest blog.

Then tonight catch live coverage from 19:45 of Chelsea v Genk, Marseille v Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen v Valencia, Olympiacos v Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto v APOEL Nicosia, Shakhtar Donetsk v Zenit St. Petersburg, AC Milan v BATE Borisov, Barcelona v FC Viktoria Plzen and Leicester City v Watford at 19:45. One of those matches is in the Championship.

eurosport.com

We can win the group now beams Mancini

Manchester City 2-1 Villarreal: Last minute Aguero goal sinks Yellow Submarine

Tweet my Goal! Manchester United and Manchester City Champions League special

Oliver Holt's Big Match Verdict: More sub controversy for Mancini but he could just have sealed City's Champions League survival

Champions League review: Bayern draw with Napoli and the rest of Tuesday's action

"It was important for us to win this game," said the City manager, who wildly celebrated the winner. "I hope this will be very important. It was important to win the first game in Champion League and now I think anything can happen in this group in terms of first place.

"At the moment Bayern Munich have seven points, Napoli five and us four. It's open for the first and second places.

"The goal came from our last chance. I think in that moment we were lucky and you need to be lucky to score in the last seconds.

"Yes, probably it would have been very difficult to qualify if we had not won. The situation would still have been open, but now this is much better."

Mancini feels City's fate hinges on their game away to Napoli on November 22

"Yes, 100 per cent," he said. "I think that game will be very important. Before this we will play the game in Villarreal and it's important we take all the points there.

"But the game in Naples will be the crucial game. I don't know for which position, but first place is open."

Mancini also claims winning with the last kick of the game is the perfect boost for his side going into Sunday's derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"It was important for the Champions League," he said. "The derby will be a different game, another situation. But it's good for our confidence and it's important to go there and do well because it will be very hard."

Mancini also defended his bold decision to haul Adam Johnson off before half-time with City trailing, claiming the England winger understood his call to replace him with Gareth Barry.

"I spoke with him and he understands," he said. "Every manager can decide if the team needs a tactical substitution and unfortunately players have to leave the pitch and will be disappointed, but Adam is a very important player for us.

"We were conceding four or five counter-attacks and didn't have many players in the middle. I wanted to move Yaya Toure behind Edin Dzeko.

"It was not because Adam did not play well and he did play well. It was a tactical substitution."

Mancini was reluctant to discuss the outcome of tomorrow's investigation into Carlos Tevez's alleged refusal to play as a substitute in last month's Champions League match at Bayern Munich.

However, he intriguingly added: "I'm soft because I'm a good man and I can't understand everything but I would prefer not to speak about this situation."

Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido admitted defeat was hard to take.

Garrido said: "I think we have done a good match and we did deserve - if not to win - a 1-1 (draw).

"I thought we had a good match in general, in all aspects, and to lose in the last minute in this way is difficult.

"Congratulations to City because they won but we thought we deserved more from this match.

"My players thought the goal was offside but it was not offside. They thought it was unfair to lose this way but we must accept it."

mirrorfootball.co.uk

Blackburn 0-4 Man City: Match Report

It's super Mario for City

Mario Balotelli grabbed his chance wipe out the memory of Manchester City's Munich misery as Roberto Mancini's men eased to a 4-0 victory at ailing Blackburn.

Balotelli drilled home City's second just before the hour and ran the home defence ragged in what was City's perfect riposte to the midweek controversy involving Carlos Tevez.

Adam Johnson's wonder-goal and late strikes from Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic wrapped up City's second half master-class leading furious Rovers fans to chant for the dismissal of boss Steve Kean.

Despite accepting Edin Dzeko's apology for his outburst at being substituted in midweek, Mancini had dropped the Bosnian to the bench and opted to give Balotelli his chance.

It was an inspired decision with Balotelli looking by far the liveliest of City's attacking options, particularly when Sergio Aguero limped off injured on the half-hour.

Rovers had started solidly enough but it quickly became apparent they would have to guard against City's speed and sharpness, with Chris Samba cutting out a dangerous Vincent Kompany cross.

The visitors had their first real chance in the 10th minute when David Silva cut into the box from the left and his cross was parried by Paul Robinson into the path of Balotelli, who blazed over.

Rovers responded two minutes later with a swinging cross from Morten Gamst Pedersen on the left, which was aimed for the head of Samba before being cut out by Joleon Lescott.

Junior Hoilett's pace troubled the City rearguard in the 16th minute as he scampered over the half-way line and sent Yakubu on the left, but he was denied by a fine challenge by Milner.

For all their neat possession, Mancini's men were struggling to unduly threaten the Rovers defence, with Silva guilty of spooning a 25th minute half-chance high over the bar.

City's striking options, already diminished by the suspension of Tevez, were further hit when Aguero limped off with an apparent groin strain.

Nasri came on to replace Aguero, and his first act was to screw a low shot towards the Rovers goal which was deflected out for a corner by David Goodwillie.

City's inability to find the cutting final ball surfaced again in the 35th minute when a fine move involving Milner and Nasri petered out when Samba beat Balotelli to a clearance in the box.

Balotelli stepped up his game towards the end of the first half, flashing a curling 37th minute effort wide then zipping in front of Samba to shoot into the side-netting.

City looked sharper at the start of the second half, with Silva shooting across the face of goal moments after the restart, then Balotelli driving a right-foot shot against the post.

City finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Johnson picked up a half-cleared Kolarov corner on the edge of the box and swung a superb left-foot shot into the top corner.

And City extended their lead three minutes later when Balotelli got the goal his performance deserved, stealing in front of Steven Nzonzi to prod home a cross from the left by Nasri.

Nasri swept home City's third in the 74th minute after good work from Silva in the box, sparking a furious reaction from sections of the home fans who chanted for Kean's dismissal.

Substitute Mauro Formica forced the first real save out of Joe Hart with 15 minutes left on the clock then Yakubu blazed high over the bar but it was all in vain.

City scored their fourth three minutes from time when Nasri sent in a corner from the left and substitute Stefan Savic bundled the ball home through a crowded box.

football.co.uk

Blackburn v Man City reaction

Steve Kean has no intention of quitting Blackburn despite a section of fans calling for his head during the 4-0 loss to Manchester City.

Second-half strikes from Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic eased City's midweek European disappointment and heaped more woe upon Kean. Fans called loudly for his dismissal after Nasri knocked in the third goal and a section of the crowd produced 'Kean Out' banners after a result that leaves Rovers second from bottom in the Premier League. But Kean, asked if he intended to see the job through, replied: "100 per cent". He added: "If the fans want to vent [their frustration] I'd rather they vent it at me than the team. "I told the lads I will battle on for my players. Even the ones I didn't bring to the club I consider my players. I'll take the criticism on my shoulders and take it away from them."

Kean believes the criticism is particularly unfair given his side's heroic win over Arsenal a fortnight ago, and the fact they were simply undone by City's awe-inspiring quality. Kean added: "A couple of weeks ago it was very buoyant dressing room. Obviously we're disappointed with the manner of the goals because I felt in the first half our game plan was working well. "A couple of weeks ago we played Arsenal and got a fantastic result and most of the fans went home very, very happy. We've lost today and the fans are not happy, nor are the players, nor am I. "But I think we have to put it in perspective. For the first 55 minutes the shape of our team was good and we minimised the chances of Manchester City, and it has taken a very good goal. "We reacted by feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves and conceded another goal. It is certainly not something I am enjoying but I can take it on the chin."

City boss Roberto Mancini declined to attend the post-match press conference and was replaced by first team coach David Platt, with his arrival preceded by a ban on questions about Carlos Tevez. Platt said he was delighted with the manner of his side's performance after a difficult week. Platt said: "We wanted to win a football match and that's what we've prepared for since we got in on Thursday. We put Bayern Munich to bed and concentrated all our preparations on getting a result. "We're blessed that one of the hardest things we've got is picking an 11 to go into a match. We know we can make six changes like we have done today and you don't lose that quality of performance." Platt admitted there was some concern over a groin injury sustained by star striker Sergio Aguero which caused him to limp off after half an hour. Platt added: "I don't think it's as bad as we first thought. Having said that if we had another game in the week he wouldn't play. We will have a good look at it over the next 48 hours." And Platt was full of praise for the influential Balotelli, who was preferred to start alongside Aguero with Bosnian Edin Dzeko the one to make way. Platt added: "Mario has had a lot of column inches in the last 12 months or so and a lot of it has been negative. That's fine but I think he deserves the plaudits as well."

football.co.uk

No Tevez, no problem as City thrash Rovers

Manchester City made light of a week dominated by Carlos Tevez's refusal to come on as a substitute at Bayern Munich by brushing Blackburn aside 4-0 at Ewood Park.

Roberto Mancini's side started slowly but ruthlessly hit four second half goals to keep pace with rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
Not even an injury to striker Sergio Aguero could undermine a result which will help City recover from a week which saw Tevez's two-year spell at Eastlands reach a sorry end in all but name.
City made six changes from the team that surrendered all too easily against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
And after showing they had much to learn at Champions League level, they set about trying to stay on the coat-tails of Manchester United.

Their best chance of the half fell to Mario Balotelli, who after receiving James Milner's pass from the byline, somehow blazed over from 12 yards.
Mancini's difficult week got even worse in the 27th minute when Aguero left the field having been limping for the previous five minutes and was replaced by Samir Nasri.
The Argentine looked to be struggling with his groin and his absence, along with that of Tevez, will give Mancini a further headache with his team selection.
After a lifeless display before the break, the Italian will no doubt have reminded them of the opportunity they had to take a precious three points against Steve Kean's Rovers side which had won just once all season.
In the opening moments of the second period, David Silva carved an opportunity which allowed him to send a shot with the outside of his boot just inches wide of Robinson's goal.
Then in the 50th minute City upped the ante again when Balotelli drifted into the box, worked another opening and this time curled a superb strike beyond Robinson and against the upright before the ball bounced away to safety.

Six minutes later, last season's FA Cup winners finally edged ahead. A corner by Aleksander Kolarov was headed away by Rovers defender Gael Givet.
The ball landed only as far as Adam Johnson, who steadied himself before curling the ball into the top left hand corner of the net with his favoured left foot.
It was a mighty relief for City, and Johnson's moment of inspiration provided them with the impetus to add a second just three minutes later.

Nasri, who had been bright since replacing Aguero, found space on the left and whipped in a cross which Balotelli expertly flicked past Robinson at the near post after meeting the ball ahead of Steven Nzonzi.
That looked to have settled the contest and appeared to provide the perfect backdrop for a section of the home support to stage a planned sit-in demonstration in protest at the way Kean is managing the team.
But there was more to come from City in the 73rd minute when Silva launched a counter-attack and found Nasri on the left.
The former Arsenal playmaker cut inside and laid the ball off to James Milner. His shot rebounded off a defender and into the path of Nasri, who fired a deflected shot past Robinson for his side's third.
The third goal brought out the anger in the home crowd. The deafening chants of "Kean out" and "You don't know what you're doing" could no longer be dismissed as a tiny minority hoping for the removal of their manager.

As for City, the class that a transfer spend in excess of Â£300m buys you meant they were not quite finished. Another corner from the left by Kolarov was met powerfully by the head of substitute Stefan Savic, who had been on the pitch for just eight minutes.
That was the cue for thousands more Rovers fans to head for the exit after seeing their team mercilessly torn apart by Mancini's expensively-assembled team.

football.co.uk

Man Utds' Ferguson praises Mancini over Tevez stance

Alex Ferguson has voiced his support for cross-town rival Roberto Mancini in the Manchester City managers much-publicised dispute with Carlos Tevez.

The Argentinian forward, who played for Ferguson at Manchester United before signing for City in the summer of 2009, is currently suspended by his club after apparently refusing to come off the bench against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Ferguson, who has enjoyed a number of verbal bouts with City and their Italian manager, refused to be drawn into specific comments about his former player Tevez.
But he made it clear that he supports Mancini wholeheartedly and has been impressed by the Italians management style this week.

"I have nothing to do with it," said Ferguson. "But I think Roberto Mancini has come out showing his strength of character, his strength of management. That's important in today's management. That's it.
"We have all experienced our own difficulties in management. You cope with it best you can. My own experience is strong management is important. There is nobody more important than a manager at a football club."

Intriguingly, former United midfielder Paul Scholes revealed this week that he also once staged a similar "strike," refusing to play for United in a League Cup tie in 2001.
Ferguson, however, remembers that incident differently and believes the circumstances were not the same.
"I don't think it's as strong as that," said Ferguson of the Scholes incident a decade ago. "I remember we had a really weakened team going down to Arsenal and I was looking around for one or two first team regulars to balance out.

"I can't even remember all the players but we had a really disjointed team and a few injuries. I asked Paul and he said he didn't really fancy it at all.
"I don't think it was exactly a refusal to play. He felt I was picking him as a guinea pig to go down there simply because he was a local boy, maybe.
"He felt guilt with that maybe now and it's written that way. But it was not at the level that it was a refusal."

football.co.uk

Man City ban Tevez talk at Mancini news conference

Manchester City issued a blanket on questions about the Carlos Tevez saga on Friday at manager Roberto Mancini's weekly news conference.

Reporters were ordered not to attempt to question Mancini about Tevez, who was suspended on Wednesday after allegedly refusing to come off the substitutes bench in the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.
"Questions in relation to Carlos Tevez in general, in relation to his alleged conduct on Tuesday evening and the potential ramifications of that conduct and in relation to his future at the football club is strictly off limits and will not be answered," City spokeswoman Victoria Kloss said.

"Breaches of this will result in the press conference being suspended. This decision has been made to protect the interests of all parties and safeguard the integrity of the investigation that is currently taking place."
Mancini meanwhile played down the ramifications of events in Munich, where striker Edin Dzeko also appeared to challenge the manager's authority with a petulant reaction to his substitution in the second half.
Mancini brushed off suggestions he had endured the toughest week of his career.
"No, no, absolutely no. Why is it difficult? Some situations can happen in football, in your job. It's important that the past is finished," he said.

"I don't have any complications. Only one complication that we had two days ago is that we lost against Bayern Munich, only this. We started very well we can do a fantastic season, I don't have this problem.
"It is normal that one player is not happy to leave the pitch in an important game or to stay on the bench, it's a normal situation for every manager."

football.co.uk

Carlos Tevez; where will he end up?

After his outburst and refusal to play on Tuesday it seems as though Carlos Tevez has given up on his Manchester City career. It also means yet another new beginning for Carlos who has so far had a career that has been anything other than plain sailing. From the day he touched down on English soil in 2006 it has been nothing but drama for the Argentine forward, but where next for him?

Inter Milan
Having been spotted meeting with Inter coach Marco Branca during the summer it seemed as though a move to the club would materialise before the start of the season. That wasn’t to be the case and Tevez remained with City. The haggle was over City’s asking price for the forward, after requesting significantly more for letting him move to another European side. With a change in management it seems as though new boss Claudio Ranieri is keen on replacing one of his forwards with Tevez to reinvent their attacking options.

AC Milan
Having happily crossed the divide to join Manchester City from Manchester United, it would be typical of the man’s career to have the two Milan clubs go head-to-head for his signature. The Milan clubs have been known in the past to battle it out for players and the uncertainty over Tevez’ future may provide the ammunition to set off another bidding war between them.

Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho is man who himself has never shied away from controversy. Mourinho has also expressed an interest in signing Tevez in the past, namely with Chelsea. Real Madrid have only two fit strikers available currently and are hoping to splash out on a new forward in January, with Tevez being their number one target.

Corinthians
Tevez came so close to returning to Brazil in the summer, only for the transfer window to slam shut. Corinthians have admitted that a deal is still likely in January. With Tevez being keen to return to South America it seems as if this would be the best option for him, although Corinthians may struggle to put up the cash.

Boca Juniors
This is where his controversial career began many years ago. Tevez has admitted many times that he has a soft spot for his first club and will return to Boca before he hangs up his boots. Perhaps Tevez will see it as too early in his career to ‘return home’ but if he is willing to move back to Corinthians then there is no reason for him not to consider going back to Boca.

Chelsea
Chelsea were one of the first clubs in England to be linked with Tevez before his move to West Ham in 2006. Having missed out on his signature three times, the 2012 transfer window may be their chance. The club are looking to replace Fernando Torres but the reality is that Tevez doesn’t just want out of Manchester but probably England as well.

West Ham United
In 2006 Tevez and his compatriot Javier Mascherano turned up at Upton Park on transfer deadline day in extremely controversial circumstances. The club were fined and sued by Sheffield United for over £20million, for fielding an ineligible player. Tevez has admitted that his time with West Ham was his happiest in England despite his success with both Manchester clubs. A short term loan deal could be on the cards if Mancini choses to freeze Tevez out of his team completely.

Zabaleta says squad must help Tevez

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta on Thursday said teammates needed to help Carlos Tevez after his apparent refusal to play in the midweek Champions League loss at Bayern Munich.
City have suspended Tevez pending a full investigation but Zabaleta insisted a hand of friendship had to be extended to his compatriot.

"We need to try to help Carlos," said Zabaleta. "He has been a really important player for us in the last two years but maybe this season he has had more games on the bench.
"Sometimes that is difficult, and more so for strikers, who need to play, need to score, need to feel confidence."

"Everybody always wants to play, maybe it's like that," Zabaleta said in trying to rationalise Tevez's behaviour - though the striker insists the whole incident was a misunderstanding.
"We need to accept that sometimes we are on the bench but we always have to be looking to get into the team," said Zabaleta, who also watched from the sidelines as City went down 2-0.
Fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero, a close friend of Tevez, regretted the falling out between the latter and the club.
"Carlos is a great player but obviously I am not inside his mind, to know his thoughts and opinions."

Mancini told striking Tevez: F*** off to Argentina

Furious Roberto Mancini swore at Carlos Tevez after the Manchester City striker refused to play against Bayern Munich.

Mancini is alleged to have told Tevez he could “f***off back to Argentina” after the former City skipper defied his boss by refusing to come off the bench in Tuesday's Champions League group game.

City boss Mancini is also understood to have directed a similar volley of abuse at Edin Dzeko, telling him to “f*** off back to Bosnia,” after he reacted angrily to being subbed in the 2-0 defeat.

Tevez was suspended on Wednesday night for two weeks - the maximum allowed - and banished from the training ground while the club conducts an investigation into why he refused to play.

Mancini said Tevez would never play for City again after his public show of defiance and disloyalty, and the club's owners are backing their boss, having finally lost patience with their capricious striker.

Billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour and his backroom team have taken an extremely dim view of Tevez’s latest act of petulance, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak understood to have backed Mancini’s hardline stance.

Tevez’s antics over the past year - twice demanding a move from City, as well as bad-mouthing the club and Manchester itself - have exasperated the club’s hierarchy, and their patience finally snapped after Tuesday’s extraordinary episode in Munich.

For his part, Tevez is said to feel “victimised” by Mancini, having been stripped of the captaincy and losing his first-team place to fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero after causing so much turmoil at the club last summer with his repeated demands to leave.

Although terminating the player’s contract would see City jettison a top-class forward worth £40m-50m on the transfer market, there is no mood at the club to indulge such a disruptive influence any longer.

Tevez has released a statement apologising for the incident, the intention of which is clearly damage-limitation.

It read: "There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.

"They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club. In Munich on Tuesday, I had warmed up and was ready to play. This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen.

“But I wish to state that I never refused to play. Going forward, I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations."

Despite Tevez's statement, there is a feeling at City that the point of no return has finally been reached with the 27-year-old.

A sale in January's transfer window, with Tevez training in isolation or with the club’s reserves until then, is the likeliest scenario, as City are happy to cut their losses and take a major hit on a player who has now become more of a liability than an asset.

Brazilian side Corinthians remain keen on Tevez, despite failing with an audacious bid of £35m for the Argentina international last summer.

But with City now desperate to offload him, the forward could be available for a relatively modest fee of around £20m.

CARLOS THE JACKASS: TIMELINE OF HIS TEMPESTUOUS CAREER

Corinthians 2005-06: 47 apps, 31 goals Tevez’s time at Corinthians (celebrating daughter’s birth with dummy after scoring, left) was also fractious and he has previous in refusing to play a match. Despite a fantastic record, he was chastised by fans and the club for failing to turn up for a derby match against Palmeiras in 2006. He also had a training ground fight with team mate Marquinhos the same year

West Ham (Loan) - 2006-07: 29 apps, 7 goals Tevez made a shock move to West Ham, alongside Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano, in August 2006. Benched at the start of his Upton Park career, he played his way into the starting line up under Alan Curbishley. The Argentine scored some vital goals for the club, including the winner on the last day of the season at Old Trafford (left) to avoid relegation. However, the loan move had been engineered by Kia Joorabchian’s Media Sports Investments and West Ham were found guilty by the Premier League of breaching third party ownership rules over the transfer. The club were fined £5.5m, but the controversy continued as Sheffield United (who were relegated in West Ham’s place) pursued legal action, eventually being awarded up to £20m in 2009.

Manchester United (Loan) 2007-09: 99 apps, 34 goals Having scored against them on the final day of the season, Manchester United signed Tevez on a two-year loan in summer 2007. United were careful not to fall foul of the same ownership regulations as West Ham, delaying completion of the transfer. Joorabchian also took West Ham to court to secure Tevez’s release, paying a £2m settlement to secure the move to United. A productive first season saw him net 19 goals in 48 appearances. However, the signing of Dimitar Berbatov limited his opportunities in 2008-09, and he fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson having been relegated to the bench. Despite his popularity with the club’s fans, Tevez rejected United’s attempts to sign him permanently, for an agreed £25.5m, following his breakdown of relations with the club.

Manchester City (£47m) 2009-present: 84 apps, 52 goals Controversy again surrounded Tevez’s next move as he joined United’s local rivals Manchester City for a reported £47m. A ‘Welcome to Manchester’ banner greeted his arrival as City attempted to goad their neighbours over the coup. Tevez also aimed swipes at his former club, including a public spat with former United team mate Gary Neville during a League Cup match in 2010. His fine performances on the pitch (resulting in 43 league goals in his first two seasons) were often overshadowed by his attitude off it. Signed by Mark Hughes, Tevez’s relations with Hughes’ successor, Roberto Mancini, were often strained. Issues including problems with training, homesickness and a transfer request culminated in a refusal to enter the field of play as a substitute for a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. Despite Tevez’s denials, Mancini has stated that he will never play for the club again.

Compiled by Callum O’Toole

Aguero 'sad' as City ban Tevez

Sergio Aguero admits he feels "sad" for fellow countryman Carlos Tevez as Manchester City slapped a two-week ban on the controversial striker.

With Tevez pledging to report for training, in line with a stated aim of "fulfilling the terms of his contract" as outlined in the statement he released yesterday, City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak acted quickly, confirming the 27-year-old would not be at Carrington this morning.

"Manchester City can confirm that striker Carlos Tevez has been suspended until further notice for a maximum period of two weeks," said a short statement released by City.
"The player's suspension is pending a full review into his alleged conduct during Tuesday evening's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

"The player will not be considered for selection or take part in training whilst the review is under way."
Manager Roberto Mancini stated immediately after Tuesday's game that, as far as he was concerned, Tevez is "finished" at City.
He clearly had no wish to see Tevez quite so soon after the South American's apparent refusal to play. It all adds to a sense of unease around City, which even Aguero is not too happy with despite his own recent impressive form.

"Roberto is in charge," he said, before news of Tevez's suspension became known.
"He puts through his opinions and ideas, and obviously makes his decisions. We just have to go with it.
"Carlos is a great player but obviously I am not inside his mind, to know his thoughts and opinions. It does make me sad. But they are two grown men and maybe they will sort it out."

Tevez suspended by City

Carlos Tevez has been suspended for two weeks by Manchester City.
The Blues confirmed the news on Wednesday evening following a telephone conference involving senior staff, including chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak. It comes in the wake of Tevez's refusal to play against Bayern Munich on Tuesday and seems certain to be the start of a drawn-out disciplinary process that will end a stormy two-year period with the club.

"Manchester City can confirm that striker Carlos Tevez has been suspended until further notice for a maximum period of two weeks," said a short statement released by City. "The player's suspension is pending a full review into his alleged conduct during Tuesday evening's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich."
The statement continued: "The player will not be considered for selection or take part in training whilst the review is under way."

Aware of Tevez's intention to report for training in line with his stance of "fulfilling his contractual obligations" as outlined in the statement he released early on Wednesday morning, City felt they needed to act to avoid a media circus at Carrington.
Having already stated his desire for Tevez never to play for the Blues again, manager Roberto Mancini had no wish for the Argentina forward to be around as planning began for Saturday's Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Now City have time to complete a thorough investigation of events at the Allianz Arena, when Mancini claimed the 27-year-old simply refused to play, having been overlooked first for the visitors' starting line-up, then as replacement for Edin Dzeko at the start of the second half. Condemnation of Tevez's refusal to play has been almost universal.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was amongst the most vocal critics of a player who was a hero at his old club West Ham.

For Tevez, the turmoil is nothing new. And being turned away from a local golf course as it was fully booked merely added to the sense of chaos in a life for which the football pitch has tended to be an oasis. However, City have taken advantage of a planned day off for their first-team squad to give the whole furore some breathing space.

The gap was not used to try and change Mancini's mind. Instead, officials were ensuring any action they take will not be the subject of appeals by Tevez, as prima-face as the evidence appears to be.

Tevez must never play for City again

Former Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Stefan Effenberg believes Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is right to throw Carlos Tevez out of his squad for refusing to come on as a substitute in last night's Champions League match at the Allianz Arena.

Effenberg, who captained Bayern to their last Champions League triumph in 2001, said the Argentina forward's behaviour was unacceptable and that he, like Mancini, would never consider the player again.

"That player would never play in the same club as me again - that goes without saying," he told Germany's Sky television, for whom he now works as a pundit.

"There is a clear order from the coach and he disregards it.

"That is poor behaviour and the club has got to come down hard on it."

According to Effenberg, Tevez will also now have problems finding another employer who would still be keen on him after the incident in last night's 2-0 loss to Bayern.

"Other clubs are going to have to consider whether they want to sign a player with such a character," he added.

"You just don't do something like that. It is disrespectful to your team-mates and is not just in spite of the coach, but in spite of the whole team.

"I hope that they actually go through with what Mancini says and that he never plays for the club again."

The incident formed part of a disappointing night for City in Munich as they lost 2-0.

Tevez's actions also drew a scathing response from British television pundits, with former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness reacting furiously.

"He (Tevez) is one bad apple," the Scot told Sky Sports 2.

"He can undo all the good work that has been done (at City). He's a disgrace to football. He epitomises what most people think is wrong with modern football.

"It is totally unacceptable. He's a football player and he is paid to play.

"He is refusing to help his team-mates. It's all about him, him, him."

Souness also suggested the 27-year-old's attitude may have contributed to his exit from Manchester United, where he played prior to his Eastlands switch.

"Why didn't Fergie take him? Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) is the oldest fox in the business and he must have seen something he didn't like in him," he said.

Mancini is now keen to see the back of Tevez once and for all and Souness believes that is the right move for City, who he thinks could risk losing their manager if they fail to agree.

"He (Mancini) walked into a hornet's nest with him (Tevez) and several other players who were at the club at the time," continued Souness.

"That would cause you to walk away from the job. How can you deal with players acting like that?"

Mark Hughes was City manager when Tevez moved to Eastlands and believes the player's personal situation is at the root of the issue.

"The problem with Carlos is he missed his family," said Hughes on Sky Sports 2.

"That's why he said if it was possible he wanted to leave the club, he had this situation with his family.

"There is obviously no relationship whatsoever, or you would imagine given the events of this evening, with the manager. That needs to be mended and if it can't then something else has to happen."

Former United striker Dwight Yorke also believes Mancini has some work on his hands resolving an awkward situation with a player who is lavishly paid at City and would be affordable to only a small number of top clubs.

"I don't condone what he's done, in terms of refusing to go on the pitch. No-one likes to see that," said Yorke.

"We don't know the ins and outs but they need to sort that out. You don't need that around the place.

"The manager has got some work to do and he alone can make those decisions."

Tevez: I did not refuse to play at Bayern

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has denied refusing to play against Bayern Munich in last night's Champions League match in a statement.

Tevez angered manager Roberto Mancini when he appeared to refuse to leave the substitutes' bench and take the field during the second-half with City trailing 2-0.

Mancini later claimed the Argentinian would never play for him at City again before saying he would consult the club's owner about the way forward.

But Tevez this morning claimed he did not refuse to play and also said he was ready to fulfil his obligations to the club.

Tevez said in his statement "I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.

"They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club.

"In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play. This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play.

"There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood.

"Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations."

"Last season I was the top scorer and I wanted to leave for family reasons but I keep trying to do my best."

Nevertheless, it is difficult to see how Mancini could want him in his dressing room after making such unforgiving comments.

"Do you think at Bayern Munich one player can play like this? Or Milan or Manchester United? No," he said.

"There were 30 minutes to the end. There was time to change the game.

"Carlos didn't play at the start of the season because he didn't do a pre-season for three years. He is not ready to play."

This would have been bad enough, in addition to being condemned to defeat by two goals in eight first-half minutes from Mario Gomez.

But Mancini also had to contend with a strop from Edin Dzeko, who took exception to being replaced by Nigel de Jong 10 minutes into the second half as City tried to stop themselves being submerged in their opponents' bombardment.

"I should be unhappy with this performance, not Edin," said Mancini.

"But he played a poor game. If you play every three days, it is impossible that one player can always play well and that he can always stay on the pitch for 90 minutes."

But there was also a stern warning for the giant Bosnian.

"This is the last time one player leaves the pitch and moves his head like this," Mancini continued.

"I can understand a player is disappointed. I can understand inside he can be upset if he thinks he has played well. But I am the manager. I decide everything."

Sobering defeat for Man City in Munich

Manchester City suffered a demoralising 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in Group A of the Champions League as a Mario Gomez brace and an eruption of disunity on the City bench made for a difficult night at the Allianz Arena.

Enjoying a fine start to the season domestically, City were unfortunate to be denied an early spot-kick in Germany when former employee Jerome Boateng brought down David Silva in the box, but Bayern responded and Gomez took his tally for the season to 11 goals in nine games when twice exploiting some slack defending, much to the fury of Joe Hart.

A fractious evening for City continued in the second half when Mancini became engaged in a row with Edin Dzeko following his perplexing decision to replace the striker with Nigel De Jong. Carlos Tevez was also reported to be a picture of discontent on the bench, even apparently refusing to come on as a substitute, as the second half completely passed City by.

Bayern, though, were imperious, with Franck Ribery particularly impressive as they enjoyed a 10th successive victory in all competitions to stay top of Group A with maximum points from two games.
Indeed, after extending their run without conceding to 928 minutes and exercising complete control over the second half, Bayern could be content with a fine victory that gave the Oktoberfest revellers further reason to celebrate. City, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder after a sobering experience that leaves them with one point from two games.

Tuesday's encounter was the first meeting between one of Europe's established grandees, who had won the competition four times, and a club in City that hope to be accepted amongst the elite after elbowing their way into the Champions League courtesy of Sheikh Mansour's billions. Their previous experience of the competition resulted in a premature exit in 1968.

However, it was City who looked the more accomplished side in the opening exchanges and they should have had a penalty inside four minutes. Former City defender Boateng clearly caught Silva's trailing leg when sliding in recklessly in the box but a spot-kick was mysteriously not awarded. Denied, Silva jumped to his feet to play the ball to Samir Nasri and the Frenchman saw his effort blocked.
Inside a minute City threatened again as the marauding Micah Richards steamed down the right and squared for Dzeko. The former Wolfsburg striker, so potent during his time in the Bundesliga, could only test Manuel Neuer with a weak effort though.

Bayern looked strangely reserved in front of their home supporters, especially for a side enjoying a nine-game winning streak, and were exposed again when Richards played a one-two with Sergio Aguero before driving into the box and falling to ground under contact from Boateng, again. Richards's theatrical fall probably denied him a deserved spot-kick.

But Bayern sprang to life, largely thanks to the figure of Ribery, who has been a man rejuvenated under Jupp Heynckes in the early weeks of the new season. He tested Hart with one low effort and then skipped away from Gareth Barry to tee up Thomas Mueller for another as he, and Bayern with him, grew in stature.
Bayern's first decent chance came on 37 minutes when a slack pass from Barry allowed the German giants to break and find themselves with five attackers to City's three defenders. Mueller whipped in a low cross to the near post but Bastian Schweinsteiger lifted the ball over the bar from close range when he should have scored.

Inside 60 seconds, Bayern did take the lead though. Ribery ghosted in from the left wing and produced a fierce effort that Hart could only parry. The goalkeeper then produced a brilliant reflex save to deny Mueller from the rebound and with the City defenders static, Gomez was left free to tuck the ball home at the third attempt.

As Bayern began to swarm confidently around the City box Vincent Kompany was fortunate not to concede a penalty with half-time approaching when blocking off Ribery and making no attempt to win the ball. No matter, though, as Bayern did score a second in injury time.
Toni Kroos saw his free-kick flicked on by Daniel van Buyten and after Hart made another fine stop, Gomez was on hand once again to sneak the ball in at the near post. Hart, who had more than fulfilled his obligations for both goals, was absolutely and understandably furious with his inattentive defence as City trudged in 2-0 down at the break.

City could do little to change their fortunes and on 55 minutes Mancini made a curious substitution when removing Dzeko for De Jong, making his first appearance since August 15 after returning from injury. The Bosnian striker was absolutely furious with the decision and had words with Mancini before casting his tracksuit to the ground, before substitute Tevez also became involved in heated discussions.
As tempers flared on the City bench, Bayern's dominance went unchecked on the pitch and Gomez could have claimed a hat-trick when he met a cross from Lahm with an intelligent run and an attempted flick with the outside of his boot. Hart watched the ball fly out, relieved.

The City goalkeeper then made a fine save to prevent Gomez from claiming a hat-trick with a header from another Kroos free-kick, with Mueller failing to tap home at the back post from the rebound to underline Bayern's dominance.

Tom Adams - follow me on twitter @tomEurosport / Eurosport

Bayern Munich 2-0 Manchester City: Match Report

Manchester City's big night in the Champions League ended with failure on the pitch and problems off it for manager Roberto Mancini as Bayern Munich maintained their remarkable record over English teams with a 2-0 victory.

Although City initially appeared to be in good shape against the German giants, two Mario Gomez goals in eight first-half minutes turned the tie on its head.
Then, when Mancini introduced Nigel de Jong for Edin Dzeko 10 minutes after the re-start, the Bosnian seemed to exchange words with his manager. This drew Carlos Tevez into the row, with suggestions that the Argentina star, left stewing on the bench on Saturday, had refused to warm-up, which then led to an exchange with compatriot Pablo Zabaleta.

City could have had the perfect start when David Silva went down under a rather impetuous challenge from Jerome Boateng, it looked a certain penalty but the referee was unmoved.
Bayern took their time to get going but when they did they might have gone in front if Franck Ribery had got a touch to Thomas Muller's low cross.

Ribery blazed over before City were fortunate to survive getting in a real mess as they tried to play offside when Muller crossed, leaving Bastian Schweinsteiger completely free barely six yards out. Amazingly, the midfielder scooped his shot over.

But shortly after Bayern went ahead when Ribery lashed a fierce shot goalwards that Joe Hart could not hold. Somehow, Hart prevented Muller tucking home the rebound. But he could not stop Gomez making it third-time lucky as he finished from close range.

Aguero was booked for a foul on Schweinsteiger as City tried to steady the ship, but worse was to come in stoppage time when Toni Kroos fizzed over a free-kick that Van Buyten flicked goalwards. Again, Hart saved. Again, Bayern had another option as Gomez tucked home his second.

Bayern continued to press after the break as Muller met Philipp Lahm's cross at the near post but could not turn the ball goalwards, then Kolo Toure headed a dangerous Schweinsteiger corner away from the City box.
Kolo Toure was booked as he gave away a free-kick which would have led to a third Bayern goal if Hart had not superbly turned Gomez's header away.

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