Silva: Players shoulder blame

David Silva says the Manchester City players, not Roberto Mancini, must accept responsibility for the club's early European exit.

Last Updated: 15/12/12 at 14:34 Post Comment

David Silva: Admits Manchester City squad underperformed in the Champions League

David Silva: Admits Manchester City squad underperformed in the Champions League

City will take no part in continental competition in the New Year after finishing bottom of their group in the UEFA Champions League.

The reigning Premier League champions have now failed to make the knockout stage in consecutive campaigns, with an expensively-assembled squad struggling to get to grips with life among Europe's elite.

Much of the criticism for City's failings has been aimed in the direction of Mancini, with the Italian's Champions League record making for dismal reading.

Silva, though, believes it is wrong to lay the blame at the manager's door, with the players having failed to deliver after being entrusted with the responsibility of generating results.

"We're responsible for what has happened," said the Spain international.

"The way we played in the Champions League - we all have to take the blame for that.

"It didn't start well in the Champions League and it became an uphill task. But you can't just blame the manager.

"All I would say is that since I joined City up to now we have made progress with Roberto."

Medals

A derby defeat to Manchester United last weekend has left City six points adrift of the Red Devils in the Premier League title race and Silva admits retaining their crown would represent a significant achievement for City from this position.

A man who has won the European Championship and World Cup with his country, added: "It would be right up there with all the other big competitions that I've won.

"Winning the Premier League is seen as a big thing. It would be a great achievement to retain it. I've been lucky I've won a lot of medals but I'd still like to win more."

Don't miss any live and exclusive football coverage this festive season. Click here to visit Sky Sports' Festive Calendar

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved