Sporting gain narrow edge on City
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E-mail Xinhua, March 9, 2012
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Mario Balotelli of Manchester City FC in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Mar.8, 2012. |
Manchester City's quest for Europa League glory received a setback on Thursday when the Premier League leaders lost 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Brazilian centre-back Xandao claimed the game's only goal with a clever back-heel in the 51st minute to give Ricardo Sa Pinto's side a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg at the City of Manchester Stadium next week.
"This result was not a surprise, anything can happen in football. I don't think we deserved to lose," said City coach Roberto Mancini.
"We did not play well. We had chances to score, but we didn't take them. It will be a different game in Manchester. When we have chances to score, we will score."
Victory extended Sporting's unbeaten European home record to 10 games, while Mancini was left to rue an injury to captain Vincent Kompany that forced the Belgian centre-back to leave the fray early in the game.
"We have to wait one or two days to know the exact extent of his injury, but it is a problem with his calf," said the Italian. "I hope to have Kompany back in 10 days or two weeks, but we have other solutions."
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