Roberto Mancini warns Joe Hart over criticism
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told goalkeeper Joe Hart to stop criticising the team, insisting he is the only "judge".
City twice led Champions League rivals Real Madrid before slipping to a dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Bernabeu.
"You can't go 2-1 up with five minutes to go and lose the game," Hart said. "We can only blame ourselves."
But Mancini responded: "I agree but I think Joe Hart should do his job. I can criticise the team not Joe Hart."
The Italian added: "Joe Hart should stay as goalie. I am the judge, not Joe Hart."
City had to withstand some intense pressure before substitute Edin Dzeko gave them the lead on 69 minutes.
Marcelo equalised for Real Madrid seven minutes later only for the Spanish side to fall behind again when Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick curled in after 85 minutes.
But Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both found the net in the final three minutes to give the La Liga champions a thrilling victory.
"We dug deep, got a lead twice and we lost it, so we can only blame ourselves," Hart told ITV. "It's hard to come off the field after losing 3-2 and be positive. I'm really sorry.
"We're not a team that should come here and pat ourselves on the back for doing well. We're a team that gets results."
Mancini added: "It is difficult not because we lost - we can lose against a side like Real Madrid - but because with four minutes to go it was 2-1.
"This is strange. I think we need to improve this situation.
"Sometimes we go too deep. We made some mistakes and I don't want us to continue defending like this.
"In the first half, they played better than us but in the second half we played well and scored two goals.
"When you score two goals here and are 2-1, you should pay more attention."
Mancini also believes his Premier League champions cannot use a lack of European experience as an excuse for the defeat.
"We can't continue to talk about experience," he said. "We have good players who play for their international teams. They play a lot of games.
"I think I am happy for our performance in the second half but I think we can improve and we should be disappointed that we lost."
Despite this being only City's second Champions League campaign, first-team coach David Platt says they can take no comfort from having come so close to earning a positive result at the Bernabeu.
"We won the league last year and the cup the year before that, so we go into every football match wanting to get something out of it," Platt said.
"Scoring two goals at the Bernabeu means very little because we've taken no points. We have to analyse and see where we can do better because we have to do better. We're conceding too many."
City were eliminated after the group stages last season and Mancini is determined to avoid a similar fate this time around.
"We have five games left in the group and it is important we beat Borussia Dortmund at home next," said the Italian. "It will be difficult as they are a top team but this year we want to go through."
Comments
Join the conversation
"Why is the title of this article about Mancini's warning? It's more about the actual game isn't it..."
Because BBC want to make a mountain out of a molehill. There's no real story in this, all Mancini is saying is that he considers himself the only one credible to make a full-team assessment since he's the manager, and that the players should focus on playing. Nothing in this.
Man U Fan.
I agree with Hart too, and it's refreshing to hear when the underdogs aren't patted on the back for once for coming so close yet failing to capitalise on a great opportunity.
For a 24yr old Hart has been fantastic, even SAF has said he regretted not signing him when he had the chance so shut up, De Gea, whilst being impressive, isn't close.
Cleverly could play for Spain, haha you muppet! Don't get me wrong Cleverly will be great for United but did you not see him against Ukraine?!?
I'm United all the way but you are and idiot
After yesterday's 'article' about Demba Ba's agent, another non-story.
I'm a United fan who has very clear and forthright opinions but your Sir are an embarrassment to yourself and our club.
Some of the things you have said on here today are completely unfounded and are clearly the ramblings of an internet troll. You're a grown man for God's sake. Please sir for the good of all things United, be quiet.
Until of course it starts to go wrong again and dear old Roberto can revert to type and reinstate him.
The main has no backbone, a coward.