Mancini: City fighting for survival

Roberto Mancini says Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Ajax is their ‘last chance’ to stay alive in the competition.

Mancini’s City side suffered defeat to Frank de Boer’s men in the corresponding fixture last month and, having lost to Real Madrid and drawn at home against Borussia Dortmund, the Premier League champions are on the verge of elimination.

Despite Joleon Lescott and James Milner joining David Silva, Jack Rodwell and Maicon on the injury list for the visit of Ajax, Mancini insists that the fit members in his squad should be relishing the challenge of facing the Dutch champions.

“We have this problem with some important players injured but when you have this problem, it is a time that all the players can put more (effort in) on the pitch,” Mancini told reporters.

“This is the last chance for us.”

The Italian also reiterated his belief that his side are not equipped for Champions League success, citing it is only the club’s second year in the elite club competition.

“For me, (managing in Europe) is the same,” Mancini added. “But if I said we are ready to win the Champions League, this is not true. We need to improve.

“Probably there are other teams better than us in this competition because they have played every year in the Champions League.”