Roberto http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323 defends defensive tactics
Roberto Mancini came under heavy fire following Manchester City’s shocking display against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Both pundits and fans blasted the City manager after his side sat back in defence for the entire duration of the match, failing to get even a single shot on target.
However, Mancini has refuted claims of a negative approach against the Gunners, insisting that City lacked attacking options due to the absence of David Silva and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937. Towards the end of the match, fans at the Emirates Stadium chanted “boring,
boring City.” Manager Roberto Mancini though, remains unconcerned.
He said, “It is not important for me. If one team plays well, it can happen that you must defend. I prefer boo in the end and to go home with one point than with three goals in our net. When you play here against Arsenal, it could be that Arsenal play better
than you and you might defend, and this is football. It's the same when you play against Barcelona, you play in Barca, you must defend very well if you don't want to lose the game.”
It is hard to argue against logic like that. However, Manchester City are chasing their first Barclays Premier League trophy, and this approach is hardly likely to get them there. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed by the result, but he claimed
City’s tactics did not surprise him.
Wenger said, “They came for a 0-0 and they got what they wanted. We played for long periods against 10 men, even Carlos Tevez, I never seen him so deep. But I wasn't surprised; they came here last year set up to play for a 0-0.”
The draw means that Manchester United open up a two-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table with a game in hand over their City rivals.
Meanwhile, Arsenal remain in third place, four points off the pace. It is still anyone’s guess as to who will win the crown this season. However, if Manchester City continue to perform like this, it won’t be long before they are out of the running.
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