Mancini switches his attention to alternative trophy trail

City are still on course for a memorable season despite seeing their hopes in Europe’s elite club competition end at the group stage last night.

Most notably they hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League and have a Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool to come next month.

Mancini also believes his team can win the Europa League – in which they will now compete next year – while their FA Cup defence will begin against rivals Manchester United in just over four weeks’ time.

Mancini said: “We are disappointed, that is normal.

“We wanted to go into the second stage and now we can do nothing. It is my opinion next year, that if we play Champions League, we will do better.

“I am sure we will improve, but it is important to finish well this year. When I say finish well this year, I mean to maybe win two trophies.”

City had begun their maiden Champions League campaign with high hopes but found the going tough alongside Bayern Munich and Napoli in Group A.

They wrapped up their fixtures with a convincing 2-0 win over an under-strength Bayern at the Etihad Stadium, but it proved meaningless as Napoli qualified for the last 16 at their expense.

Bayern had already won the group while the Italians knew they would follow them into the knockout stage by beating Villarreal, which they achieved also by a 2-0 scoreline.

City still claimed a creditable 10 points but defeats away to Bayern and Napoli, and a home draw with the Serie A side, ultimately cost them.

Mancini believes his players have learnt from the experience.

He said: “In the Champions League you know that every game is difficult.

“If you meet a team that is maybe not as strong as you, and if you don’t play those games 100 per cent, you concede goals. We can improve on this.

“I think we did well and I also think we were unlucky because in Naples we didn’t deserve to lose.

Last season’s FA Cup win secured City’s first trophy in 35 years and Mancini wants to make the most of every opportunity to collect more.

He said: “We are not United or Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

“For us to win the Europa League is an important trophy. It is clear we wanted to win the Champions League but this is not possible.

The Europa League is now an important trophy, but the Premier League is the priority.”