Roberto Mancini analysed this Sunday's Fiorentina-Roma match, managed by former teammates Sinisa Mihajlovic and Vincenzo Montella.

All three of them played together at Sampdoria in 1996-97, while Mihajlovic was also Mancini's assistant manager at Inter.

“Sinisa has been working at a high level for quite some time now, having several positive experiences before coming to Florence,” the Manchester City boss told the Corriere dello Sport.

Roberto Mancini did not hold back in blaming “stupid” Mario Balotelli for his red card as Manchester City went out of the Europa League.

The Italy international was sent off for a very high tackle on Goran Popov just 36 minutes into today's second leg tie against Dynamo Kiev.

"If it stays 11 versus 11, we would have probably scored two or three goals,” said manager Mancini.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he didn't expect Leonardo to cross the divide and swap Milan for Inter.

Leonardo accepted Massimo Moratti's offer to coach Inter in December following the dismissal of Rafa Benitez despite his past with Milan.

Speaking to Mediaset, Mancini said: "I didn't expect Leonardo to go to Inter.

"He is doing well and the Scudetto is his property, and the derby will be decisive."

Mancini was then asked about the progress of Mario Balotelli at Eastlands.

Roberto Mancini insists that former club Inter can still qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Nerazzurri lost 1-0 at home to Bayern Munich on Wednesday when they conceded late on against the Germans.

That victory has put the Bundesliga side in pole position to now reach the last eight, but Mancio has faith in his former troops.

"Inter didn't deserve to lose," the Manchester City boss stated. "But Inter are that strong that they can go to Munich and win. They've done it before."

Mario Balotelli has reiterated he won't push for a summer move to Milan. “I want to repay Roberto Mancini, the most important Coach in my career.”

The speculation continues that the Manchester City striker is homesick and already angling for a return to San Siro, albeit the red and black side, in June.

“I don't know exactly how long I will stay with City but I have the contract and I want to respect it,” SuperMario told the Mail on Sunday.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claims Inter President Massimo Moratti has "always been fascinated by Carlos Tevez."

The Argentina international striker's future is still the subject of great debate after he requested a transfer earlier this month, citing differences with City's chief executives.

Initially, Tevez hinted at a return to Boca Juniors so he can be close to his children, but that hasn't stopped Europe's biggest clubs from being linked with his signature.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists he isn't surprised at the way Rafa Benitez has been treated at Inter this season.

Benitez's agent is currently holding negotiations with Inter's lawyer in an effort to rescind his contract after just six months in charge.

Interviewed in La Stampa, Mancini was asked to compare it with his own experiences with Inter.

"The difference is that I was at the club for four years. Benitez will have been there for six months if it's true that he is being sacked.

Marco Materazzi reveals he nearly joined Milan, blasts Roberto Mancini, Zinedine Zidane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and “threw a shoe at Mario Balotelli.”

The Nerazzurri and Italy veteran gave a sweeping interview on the last few often controversial years of his career.

“It's true that in 2005-06 I was very close to joining Milan,” he told Mediaset Premium.

“Mancini wanted me to go. Villarreal were also interested, while the most important thing for me was playing so I'd have a chance to go to the World Cup.

Roberto Mancini says he would probably have blocked the sale of Mario Balotelli had he still been in charge at Inter.

The Italian was sold to Mancini's Manchester City over the summer after a turbulent spell in Milan under Jose Mourinho.

"I love Balotelli," Mancini told Max magazine in an interview. "Sure, he's young and like all youngsters he makes mistakes, but I never get upset with him.

"His sale? I wasn't at Inter for the last two years so I don't know what happened," continued the 1990 World Cup player.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has bitterly criticised the English media and promised “clearly one day I will return to Italy.”

The former Inter and Lazio Coach is having a tough time at the moment with headlines such as ‘Dead Manc walking', so vented his frustration with Italian news agency ANSA.

“The English newspapers will do anything to sell more copies, even resorting to fantasy and inventing stories,” said Mancio.