Roberto mancini hailed Manchester City’s dramatic Premier League title triumph as a “crazy finish for a crazy season”.
And Mancini, drained of emotion as he reflected on an extraordinary afternoon, said City’s historic added-time triumph, capped by Sergio Aguero’s stunning winner, had left him feeling 90-years-old.
An emotional Mancini, draped in the Italy flag, his hair matted by champagne sprayed in celebration by his ecstatic players and staff,
said: “This was a crazy finish for a crazy season.
“After this I feel 90 years old. It’s incredible, you cannot think of a final like this. That would be impossible.
“I think it’s incredible for me and all our supporters, I’m very happy for them, the season is for them - all our supporters.
“I have never ever seen anything like this. Never. It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say.
“Five minutes from the end I didn’t think we could win this game.
“We wanted this title because we deserved this title. We stayed on the top for 28 games and for the last three games, so we deserve to win.
“I think for us it was really important to win this championship.”
With City trailing 2-1 in injury time and United on their way to a 1-0 Sunderland, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side effectively had two hands on the Premier League trophy for a 13th time.
But a 92nd-minute header from Edin Dzeko and the remarkable climax from Aguero’s sublime strike two minutes later saw City complete the most incredible turnaround in Premier League history.
And Mancini, despite his anxiety on the touchline as the minutes ticked away and the title seemed to have slipped from City’s grasp, said he never lost faith in his side’s ability to pull off the miracle finish.
“No, I never gave up hope because I hoped always that Sunderland could score a goal and draw with United,” said Mancini.
The 47-year-old City boss hailed his players as history-makers having brought the title back to the club after a 44-year wait.
And although United pushed them all the way and City only clinched the title on goal difference, Mancini said his side full deserved their moment of glory for the way they had performed all season.
“I think that in the end the best team won the title,” said Mancini.
“I think we played the best football, conceded less goals, scored more goals and beat United two times.
“I am very proud for my players because they wanted to win this title.
“They worked hard for this until the last second of the very last game. To beat a strong team like United is fantastic.
“We changed the history of this club for this we should be proud. All our supporters deserve this “This is for all our supporters, the club, the chairman and the owner.”
The manner of the title triumph, winning it United-style in the dying moments, was particularly sweet for City, with Mancini hailing the character his players showed in turning the game in their favour.
City scored 18 goals after 85 minutes this season, proof of their strength of character and refusal to give up, even when the odds were stacked against them.
“Yes, it shows big character,” said Mancini. “It’s impossible for teams to recover when you score goals late on. We showed our strength in this title.”
United boss Ferguson said this season’s title race had made him feel three years younger and Mancini said he was relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with him for a few seasons yet.
“Ferguson said he’s too young to retire and I’m happy he has three years left,” said Mancini.
“I hope we can continue to win. In two or three years, maybe he can feel 10 years younger.”
The wild celebrations were still going on in the Etihad Stadium when Mancini cast his eye to the future and said City must not allow this title triumph to be an isolated moment of glory.
“We need to improve,” said Mancini. “In two years we have improved a lot as a team.
“But we need to improve when we play in the Champions League because this year we weren’t ready.”
There were emotional scenes when Mancini embraced his father Aldo, 76, who has suffered heart problems over the past two years but who was at the Etihad to watch his son’s moment of triumph.
“My father is okay,” said Mancini. “After we scored I was afraid for his heart.
“I think it’s better to win five minutes before the end, not in injury time. It’s very hard.
“I hope next year we win the title one game before the end.”
Source : Mirror.co.uk
