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Mancini defends tactics

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-07 08:33

Roberto Mancini made no apologies for Manchester City's negative tactics as it ground out a dour 0-0 draw at title rival Arsenal.

Mancini's team opted for a safety-first approach to hold on to second place behind Manchester United, two points ahead of the third-placed Gunners.

The Italian believes his side is in a good position heading into the second half of the title race and he said: "I prefer to go home with one point because when you come here, it could be that Arsenal will play better than you and you must defend. This is football.

"Not all teams can play like Arsenal. I think Arsenal also have won some games they didn't deserve to win. In the first half they had the chances to score.

"It's not my business. I think they are a good team. It's the same when you play against Barcelona, you must defend well if you don't want to lose the game.

"I think if we had David Silva and Mario Balotelli and all the players were 100 percent it would be another game.

"We are in a good position, like Arsenal and like United. I think the season is very long. Also Chelsea and Tottenham have lost tonight but both can finish near the top."

Mancini and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger were united in their condemnation of referee Mike Jones's decision to send off Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta.

Mancini said: "I don't agree with the sending off because two yellow cards is enough. At that moment at the end of the game the players are tiring and the referee should understand this. I asked the referee why and he said for him it was a red card."

Agence France-Presse