’Mancini wears his heart on his sleeve’
Platt has defended Mancini over the Italian’s outburst at the end of Tuesday’s controversial Champions League draw with Ajax at the Etihad, claiming the incident has been exaggerated.
Mancini confronted the referee after City had a late goal disallowed and were denied a penalty, and also clashed with a cameraman who filmed his on-pitch rant.
There had been fears Mancini could incur a touchline ban for his actions but the matter was not reported to European governing body Uefa by referee Peter Rasmussen or the match delegate.
First team coach Platt, who played alongside Mancini at Sampdoria, said: “He has always been like that — as a player he was completely like that. Monday to Friday he was fine but once he is on a pitch, if things don’t go well for him — he has this fire in him. That is what he believes in. People make a great deal about it. It is not the first time he has reacted in that way, not necessarily at Manchester City.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve. If he has got something to say he will go and say it.”
The media pressure has increased on Mancini in recent weeks with City’s form — despite their unbeaten record in the Barclays Premier League — yet to reach the heights of last season.
The 2-2 draw with Ajax has left City in danger of failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League for a second successive season.
Platt was speaking after Mancini chose not to attend City’s latest press conference to preview tomorrow’s game against Spurs. When asked why the manager was not present, Platt said: “Because I’ve been asked to come.
“He [Mancini] has got a couple of things he needs to do. He is fine. Why wouldn’t he be?”
Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen believes this could be a good time to face City’s squad of illustrious stars.
“City have been struggling a bit with their confidence and we are strong in away games. We can hurt them on the break,” the Belgian said.
“We want to win there and we’re capable of it. Why not? City are one of the best teams in the Premier League but with our pace we can hurt anybody, so we’re hopeful of getting a good result.”
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas sounded a note of caution when discussing the prospect of claiming a vital win in Manchester, however.
He said: “They had an amazing start last year and then a dip towards the end. It can go the other way round for them.
“A team with such talent and ability is always in a position to bounce back.”
Tottenham have struggled against mediocre top-flight teams so far this term, but in-form striker Jermain Defoe thinks this season’s memorable 3-2 win over City’s neighbours Manchester United — their first at Old Trafford since 1989 — proves the team can upset the odds at the home of the champions.
“If you win at United, you can win anywhere and not just in England, anywhere in Europe,” Defoe told Spurs TV Online.
“[United] are one of the biggest clubs in the world and to go there and play how we did in the first half, that performance was unbelievable.
“The second-half was a little different, but you get that at Old Trafford. If we can do the same at City it would be fantastic.”
Defoe, who could be partnered by Emmanuel Addebayor for the first time in the league tomorrow, goes in to the match having now racked up 10 goals for club and country this season.
Thursday’s three-goal display against Maribor in the Europa League was arguably his best of the season. The former West Ham man dispatched a cool volley to put Spurs ahead before adding his second and third strikes courtesy of pinpoint assists from Tom Carroll and Gareth Bale.
He now wants to continue his scoring spree against Mancini’s side.
“To score a hat-trick in a European night at the Lane, that’s special,” he said.
“The goals seem to be flowing and I just want to keep it going. I don’t want to take my foot off the gas, I just want to continue scoring goals and keep winning games.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
