Mancini bemoans Juventus penalty decision

Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini feels a controversial penalty awarded to Juventus in Wednesday’s 2-2 cost his team victory in Turin.

The Turkish champions led 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League Group B contest thanks to Didier Drogba’s 36th-minute goal before the home side were awarded a spot-kick 12 minutes from time when Fabio Quagliarella was felled.

Arturo Vidal converted from the spot and Quagliarella’s 87th-minute header changed the complexion of the game before Umut Bulut struck barely 60 seconds later to earn Galatasaray a share of the points.

Mancini, who took charge of Galatasaray for the first time since his appointment as manager on Monday, is not convinced by the legitimacy of Juve’s penalty and was left to rue what could have been.

The former Manchester City boss told Sky Sport Italia: “It was a strange game, as Juve went behind and they were awarded a penalty that was, shall we say, strange?

“I think without that they would not have been able to score tonight. I don’t think it was a penalty.

“I got to know my players a bit more, as I didn’t know all of them well. I knew this would be a tough game because Juventus are a great squad.”

Galatasaray’s Champions League group campaign started with a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid, but Mancini is confident that an improved performance against Juve will be the first of many.

He added: “We will be a better team in the future.

“The team will work harder. Our team consist of some very good players. They just need to reflect more self-confidence on the pitch.”