Manchester City fell 2-0 at Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League Group A play, but manager Roberto Mancini showed excellent leadership in a difficult time.
City started brightly against in-form Bayern, and had two penalty appeals waved away in the first half. With seven minutes remaining in the half, Mario Gomez put Bayern Munich in front when he turned home the rebound after a Joe Hart save.
During injury time at the end of the first half, Hart produced another save only for Gomez to pounce once more and give Bayern a 2-0 lead.
City could not find a way though in the second half, and Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko let their own personal emotions and egos take center stage. Roberto Mancini did an excellent job of keeping the focus on the group over the individual.
With all the attention focused in preseason on temperamental Italian striker Mario Balotelli, it is ironic that Mancini’s problem turns out to be the attitude of Tevez and Dzeko.
In the 55th minute, Dzeko was subbed out of the game and replaced by Nigel De Jong. Given that Dzeko had made minimal contribution to the game in a disappointing performance the fact he was subbed out was perfectly understandable.
Rather than accept the decision for the team and fight another day, Dzeko chose to shake his head at Mancini, then throw his arms around in a petulant and childish display on the bench.
Given the patience Mancini showed while Dzeko made a slow start to his City career last season, it was a truly selfish and immature display.
Mancini made his disappointment more than clear in the post-match press conference. “I am the one who should be disappointed,” said Mancini, “he played a bad game.”
It was refreshing to hear, especially in an era where managers are too quick to explain away such childish actions. “I am glad he doesn’t like coming off,” is a pretty typical response to this type of scenario. While it is OK to be disappointed, it is not OK to be petulant and selfish, and Mancini sent that message very clearly.
“It is the last time any player at this club does that.” Was the stern Italian manager’s final take on the matter.
Sadly for Mancini and City, Dzeko was not the only disciplinary issue on the night. In fact, Dzeko’s behavior paled in comparison to the disrespect shown by last season’s star striker Carlos Tevez.
With half an hour remaining, Mancini summoned Tevez off the bench to try and change the complexion of a game. With his team struggling, this would be a big chance for Tevez to stake his claim for a starting spot.
Instead Tevez refused to take the field, showing a disgusting lack of humility and Mancini rightly has called time on the sulking striker’s time at the club.
“If we want to improve as a team Carlos can’t play with us..” Fumed Mancini, “with me, he is finished.”
So strong and so final is Mancini’s criticism of Tevez, that it is now impossible for him to forgive and forget without losing face in the dressing room.
It may seem harsh, but it was exactly the right stance for Mancini to take. We live in a society where the individual is celebrated more than the team, and a superstar culture s deeply ingrained in the mind of fans and sponsors.
For that very reason Mancini must fight to make the badge and shirt of Manchester City a bigger deal than the individual players who happen to be wearing it. By not bending to improve the mood of Tevez and Dzeko, Mancini made a powerful statement.
The manager’s actions show that City have expectations when it comes to behavior, and players who do not live up to them will suffer.
It is certain that some City fans will side with Tevez, but Mancini is right to defend the honor of his club. It is worth mentioning that Sir Alex Ferguson sold off Tevez and was criticized by Manchester United fans for doing so. Those critics appear to have less ammunition after last night’s display.
During injury time at the end of the first half, Hart produced another save only for Gomez to pounce once more and give Bayern a 2-0 lead.
City could not find a way though in the second half, and Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko let their own personal emotions and egos take center stage. Roberto Mancini did an excellent job of keeping the focus on the group over the individual.
With all the attention focused in preseason on temperamental Italian striker Mario Balotelli, it is ironic that Mancini’s problem turns out to be the attitude of Tevez and Dzeko.
In the 55th minute, Dzeko was subbed out of the game and replaced by Nigel De Jong. Given that Dzeko had made minimal contribution to the game in a disappointing performance the fact he was subbed out was perfectly understandable.
Rather than accept the decision for the team and fight another day, Dzeko chose to shake his head at Mancini, then throw his arms around in a petulant and childish display on the bench.
Given the patience Mancini showed while Dzeko made a slow start to his City career last season, it was a truly selfish and immature display.
Mancini made his disappointment more than clear in the post-match press conference. “I am the one who should be disappointed,” said Mancini, “he played a bad game.”
It was refreshing to hear, especially in an era where managers are too quick to explain away such childish actions. “I am glad he doesn’t like coming off,” is a pretty typical response to this type of scenario. While it is OK to be disappointed, it is not OK to be petulant and selfish, and Mancini sent that message very clearly.
“It is the last time any player at this club does that.” Was the stern Italian manager’s final take on the matter.
Sadly for Mancini and City, Dzeko was not the only disciplinary issue on the night. In fact, Dzeko’s behavior paled in comparison to the disrespect shown by last season’s star striker Carlos Tevez.
With half an hour remaining, Mancini summoned Tevez off the bench to try and change the complexion of a game. With his team struggling, this would be a big chance for Tevez to stake his claim for a starting spot.
Instead Tevez refused to take the field, showing a disgusting lack of humility and Mancini rightly has called time on the sulking striker’s time at the club.
“If we want to improve as a team Carlos can’t play with us..” Fumed Mancini, “with me, he is finished.”
So strong and so final is Mancini’s criticism of Tevez, that it is now impossible for him to forgive and forget without losing face in the dressing room.
It may seem harsh, but it was exactly the right stance for Mancini to take. We live in a society where the individual is celebrated more than the team, and a superstar culture s deeply ingrained in the mind of fans and sponsors.
For that very reason Mancini must fight to make the badge and shirt of Manchester City a bigger deal than the individual players who happen to be wearing it. By not bending to improve the mood of Tevez and Dzeko, Mancini made a powerful statement.
The manager’s actions show that City have expectations when it comes to behavior, and players who do not live up to them will suffer.
It is certain that some City fans will side with Tevez, but Mancini is right to defend the honor of his club. It is worth mentioning that Sir Alex Ferguson sold off Tevez and was criticized by Manchester United fans for doing so. Those critics appear to have less ammunition after last night’s display.
