Nasri can be world beater — but he must listen to me
“United are still way ahead of us and have easier fixtures coming up,” said the Italian. “We are getting nearer to them, but they are even better than us.
“Their last two matches are against Swansea and Sunderland, who have nothing to gain or lose, and we face Newcastle, who are doing well, and QPR, who are fighting against relegation. So this match against United might not decide anything.”
City would draw level with United on points — but have a better goal difference — if they were to beat their local rivals on Monday, and Mancini has admitted that United tend to bring out the best in his side. But he promised that even if City do fall short this season, the title will be theirs next season.
Mancini also spoke of his desire to keep Mario Balotelli at the club next season, and explained that bringing Carlos Tevez back into the fold in March was his decision alone. In a wide-ranging interview with France Football magazine today Mancini also revealed that he wants to sign Lille winger Eden Hazard this summer, and that Samir Nasri could become one of the best players in the world, “if he listens to me”.
But it is the Italian’s comments about City’s title chances that will worry City fans, although he accepted that his team often do special things against their neighbours. “United have more experience and that team spirit that we are currently building,” he said.
“But even when we lost to them, we had interesting games, like in the FA Cup this season. We lost 3-2, after they were 3-0 up at half-time and we were down to 10 against 11 for almost the entire game. We could even have equalised. We had lots of chances despite the numerical disadvantage.
“And then the 6-1 win at Old Trafford, that gave us strength for the future. For us, it was also a strong signal. I never watched the match again, just the goals two or three times. Our victory over United in the FA Cup semi-final last season was also important. That kind of game is a turning-point. Often playing against United has helped our progression. It has helped us to learn. Against them, we always manage to excel.”
Mancini will be hoping that remains true on Monday, but even if City fail to win the title, he has promised it will be coming to the Etihad very soon.
“In the league, we have made enormous progress over teams who have been in the Champions League for a long time. I think we can be proud of our work,” he said.
“We have not been fighting for the title for 10 years, but only two. In 2010, we ended fifth, third last season with the same number of points as second, Chelsea, and this year we are second in the race for the title with three games left. We are improving. If we don’t win the league this season, we will win it next season. And we will be successful for years to come.”
The biggest surprise from Mancini was his about-turn on the future of Balotelli, who is available and has a chance of playing against United just weeks after his red card against Arsenal, after which he was told he would “probably never” play for City again.
“I will decide who plays on Sunday but Mario, like everyone else, is available,” said Mancini.
“Despite doing some silly things, Balotelli has also made some important contributions, like his two goals at Old Trafford in October. He has many qualities. With him, anything is possible. He is young and still makes big errors that can put your team in trouble. But I still think he has great talent.
“Everything is in his hands. I think that he will reach the point when he understands that he can no longer afford make mistakes. These things can happen when you’re young, but time moves on.
“I said that [“probably never”] because it was his third red card this season and I thought he would get a six- or seven-match suspension. And there were only six games left... Now I hope he has understood. It’s like in a family, when one of the sons does bad things: the love of the parents is always there, because this is the kid who needs the most help.
“I hope he will still be a City player next season. We spent a lot of money on signing him [£€28m in 2010]. He is the best Italian striker, so I think he will go to the Euros. With us, he scored 13 league goals this season [in 22 games]. Given his qualities, I think he can do much more.”
Since Balotelli’s suspension, Tevez has returned to the side and, with four goals in his last two games, could have a dramatic impact against his former team.
“I always had a good relationship with him, I had no problem in forgiving him,” said Mancini. “To bring him back was a logical choice, given that he was not sold in the January transfer window. The club officials never forced me to do anything.
“As he is a player of great quality, one of the best strikers in the world, I thought that he could lend a hand. I think I showed a good attitude towards him, as I do with everybody. We did not want him to go away to Argentina [in November].
“It’s clear that with him in the side, we would have had more chances. But the team was leading the table until March, which shows that the other forwards were doing good things. I was sorry [about the fall-out after his refusal to warm up against Bayern Munich]. I found it strange, because until what happened, we always had a good relationship. Honestly, I don’t know why it all happened.”
Mancini added that he was looking to the future and was particularly impressed with Hazard, whom he recently travelled to France to watch.
“Given his technical qualities, City would be the perfect destination for him,” he noted.
He also expects more of Nasri, whom he has set the target of scoring 10 league goals every season.
“If he listens, and listens to me, he will become one of the best players in Europe. Like all young players, sometimes he thinks that technical qualities are enough. But I think that a 35-year-old player can still improve. Samir, he is only 24.”
Mancini concluded by promising that he would sleep well on Sunday night, that Monday’s game was not the most important of his career, and that he is expecting opposing coach Alex Ferguson to bring him a nice bottle of red wine to share after the game.
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