Roberto Mancini insists “the only difference between the two teams were the red cards” after their Champions League exit.
“Clearly we had to at least have something go our way on the chances we had, as a goal would have changed the entire situation,” he said after the 1-0 loss to Liverpool, knocking them out 3-0 on aggregate.
“Unfortunately it happened again that we were reduced to 10 men and that is a completely different game.”
While Marco Materazzi saw red in the first leg after 30 minutes, in the return match Nicolas Burdisso received his second booking straight after the restart.
“I nonetheless thank the players for putting in the effort and trying so hard. It is a shame to go out, but over the two legs the difference between the teams was in the red cards.”
Burdisso’s first booking was on 28 minutes for a foul on Dirk Kuyt and at the 50th for a high challenge on Lucas, even though he did not actually make contact with the Liverpool player and it was if anything dangerous play.
“Perhaps the referee saw it from a different angle. I say in the first half the referee did not book three or four fouls from behind that were penalised at Anfield, so we are back to the usual issue of consistency,” continued Mancio.
“The fact remains we were reduced to 10 men once more and admittedly Burdisso should have been a little more careful.
“Liverpool only had chances because we gave them the ball. We were doing well, a goal could’ve come out of nowhere, but instead we got this red card and it all changed.”
Even before then the Nerazzurri were a little sluggish and there were reports that Luis Figo refused to come off the bench after Fernando Torres’ goal.
“Figo has been out injured for a long time, so this was a delicate situation. He did not refuse to come on.”
It was another desperately disappointing performance from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who wasted at least two golden opportunities.
“Liverpool have a solid defence and we were still able to create four chances that could have been goal with a little more luck. Ibrahimovic has been out for two weeks and made his comeback on Saturday, so clearly he’s not 100 per cent.
“I think when the lads go out there and give their all, they can have no remorse. That goes for everyone.
“These are two games in which out of 180 minutes we played 90 in 10 men. It’s true we should be a little more careful, but it becomes tough to run for an extra man and catch up in that situation.
“All eliminations hurt, especially in the Champions League. Clearly we are upset, but we mustn’t make a drama out of it as there is a Scudetto to win and that is very important.”
This means Liverpool go through to join Roma, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Schalke 04, Barcelona and Fenerbahce in the quarter-finals.
“We have to compliment Roma for going through a tough draw. All our draws were difficult, truth be told, so the Giallorossi deserve praise,” added Mancini of the win over Real Madrid.
