City boss Mancini hopes for a miracle after Napoli defeat

City boss Mancini hopes for a miracle to make the knockout stage of the Champions League after 1-2 loss to Napoli has them staring at exit

Manchester City are facing an early exit from the Champions League after a shattering loss at Napoli on Tuesday night. The Premier League leaders were beaten 2-1 at San Paolo Stadium to fall behind the Italians and into third in Group A. City will now need to beat group winners Bayern Munich in their final game next month and hope winless Villarreal can upset Napoli to progress to the knockout stage.


Disappointed: Man City's Mario Balotelli during Tuesday's match
against Napoli. Pic/Getty Images

Anything less will leave City playing in the second tier Europa League in the new year. Manager Roberto Mancini rated the sides'u00a0 chances of qualification as "70% to Napoli and 30% to us" but nevertheless refused to give up hope. The Italian said: "Our target was to go into the second stage and at this moment we are depending on other teams.


Roberto Mancini

"But in football anything can happen. If Villarreal play a serious match they can get a result. It is important we play our game against Bayern Munich." City were undone by two goals from coveted Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani, who struck either side of a Mario Balotelli equaliser.

Key results:
lManchester United 2-2 Benfica
lReal Madrid 6-2 Dinamo
lBayern Munich 3-1 Villarreal
lTrabzonspor 1-1 Inter