Roberto Mancini believes Man City can still win Group A after they secured a last-gasp victory over Villarreal.
'Everything is re-opened' believes City boss after dramatic win
Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City can still win UEFA Champions League Group A after his side secured a last-gasp victory over Villarreal.
Cani gave the Spanish visitors a fourth minute lead at the Etihad Stadium but City were level by the break thanks to an own goal from the unfortunate Carlos Marchena.
Substitute Sergio Aguero then netted a dramatic injury-time winner to ensure Mancini's third-placed side kept in touch with leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Napoli, who drew 1-1 in Italy.
Mancini told
Sky Sports 2: "I told you before the game it was important only to win this game and we won.
Deserved
"I think we deserved to win because we had a lot of chances to score but Villarreal on the counter-attack were very dangerous because they play football very well."
Mancini, who celebrated the winner with unabated joy on the sidelines, added: "I think it was an important goal - an important goal because now I think that everything is re-opened, also for the first place (in the group)."
He agreed the win will give his side more belief in Europe, adding: "I think this is normal - when you are playing in the Champions League for the first time, you need to improve game after game.
"You need to win and I think that tonight, after this game, we can do better."
Tevez hearing
Carlos Tevez is in front of a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after Mancini alleged he refused to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich last time.
After that game, Mancini insisted the Argentinian would never play for him again and asked if his stance had since softened, the manager replied: "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."