Mancini takes positives from Euro exit

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says his side’s Champions League exit could help in the defence of their Premier League title. City, who were bundled out of the Champions League on the bottom of Group D, are looking to bounce back from a run of just one win in five games in all competitions. “We are not happy to exit because we wanted to do well, but probably it was not our year in Europe because against Borussia Dortmund we did not play well and we did not do enough to win the game,” Mancini said. “(But) in February or March it could be (an advantage) because the difference is that if you play in the Champions League you play on Tuesday or Wednesday and then have three or four days to recover. “If you play in the Europa League then you don’t have time to recover because you play Thursday night and then travel before playing Sunday afternoon.” City host fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday in a crucial derby that could decide the fate of the title. “I think it is clearly important that they have three points more than us and they have a small advantage,” Mancini said. “But it is a derby and it is a very difficult match for both teams. “They are favourites for the title because they were a strong team and they have bought (Robin) Van Persie and they put into their squad another player who can score 25 goals.”

Heskey unfazed by extra attention

Newcastle Jets striker Emile Heskey says he will not mind the attention of Central Coast defenders if it frees up team-mates in Saturday’s game. After enjoying an impressive start to his stint in the A-League with five goals in his first six matches, Heskey has been intensely marked by opposition defences and has failed to score in his last three outings. Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswick said this week that keeping Heskey quiet will be a priority in this weekend’s match. But the former England international feels if Central Coast focus solely on him, it will be to their detriment. “They can put extra attention on me, but there are 10 other players that can do damage,” Heskey said at training on Friday. “We have good players here, so if they do put more attention on me, that will create space for someone else. “We just have to play our game. We haven’t got any tactics against one particular individual. We just have to play our game and hopefully we will get the result.” The Jets inflicted the Mariners’ only defeat of the season so far with a gritty 2-1 win when the teams met earlier in the campaign. However, Heskey believes his side cannot take too much out of that game. “We’re a few more games into the season now and everyone is aware of how people play and what to do to combat that, so it’s going to be a different game to the first derby,” he said. “Derbies are derbies – they are meant to be fierce and they are meant to be fiery. “Having played in one already it is no different. Everybody wants to win the game.” The talismanic striker paid tribute Mariners youngster Tom Rogic, who will miss this weekend’s game as he is on national duty with the Socceroos. “For me he (Rogic) is one of the best players in the league,” Heskey said. “I enjoy watching him to be honest so it will be nice not to be playing against him.”

Kosmina hails Carrusca

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina believes Argentine playmaker Marcelo Carrusca has the potential to be the A-League’s find of the season. Carrusca put in a man-of-the-match display in United’s 4-2 victory over Melbourne Victory on Friday night. In a fiery contest, Adelaide took the lead when forward Evan Kostopoulos scored his first domestic goal of the campaign on two minutes. The Victory equalised moments later but Fabio Ferreira put the hosts back in front, set up by Carrusca’s cheeky, back-heel assist. Carrusca began to stamp his authority on proceedings, unlike his opposite number and former Adelaide United star Marcos Flores, who was making his first appearance against the club since departing the Reds last year for a brief stint in China. The silky midfielder extended Adelaide’s advantage to 3-1 with a top-shelf curling strike that finished a spectacular passage of play that he started seconds earlier before turning provider once more with a set-piece that found the head of Ferreira for his second and United’s fourth. Carrusca’s performance was recognised with the John Kosmina-Kevin Muscat Medal for best afield. “I think he will be eventually,” Kosmina said in response when asked whether Carrusca could be considered the competition’s signing of the season. “He’s still got a long way to go in terms of conditioning and getting used to the pace of it (A-League). “He said to me the other week that he’s done more running here in three months than he’s done in three years in Argentina – but he’s got the magic touch. “He might be one of those players who will give away the ball cheap sometimes, but then you look at the quality you get at the other end of the spectrum and it far outstrips mere mortals.” Kosmina also praised the creative attacker’s stunning goal. “It was a fantastic goal. He started it and he finished it. What a finish it was as well,” he said. “He can see those types of things that a lot of other players don’t see. “It’s the timing, the quality, the way ball went in. (Melbourne Victory goalkeeper) Nathan Coe had no chance.”

Sagna happy with life at Arsenal

Bacary Sagna says he is happy with life at Arsenal despite reports he is unhappy with how his contract talks were progressing. The Frenchman’s current deal expires in 2014, and the club were reported to have only offered him a 12-month extension. However, Sagna has denied the speculation, and said he wants to repay the faith the club have shown in him after twice breaking his leg in the past 18 months. “I’m very happy,” Sagna told reporters. “I’m very happy to be back to football and to play for Arsenal. I’m looking forward to playing more games this season because I’ve been injured lately.” Sagna returned from his second broken leg in October, and has made seven appearances so far for the Gunners this season in all competitions.

Goalie Laundreau leaves Lille

Lille have confirmed first-choice goalkeeper Mickael Laundreau’s contract with the club has been terminated by mutual consent. A number of reports on Thursday suggested the 33-year-old was on his way out of the club, and Lille have now confirmed Landreau’s departure. “LOSC and Mickael Landreau have decided by mutual consent to end their collaboration. The club and the goalkeeper have today (Friday) signed an agreement to end his contract with immediate effect,” an official statement said. No details have been disclosed for the experienced goalkeeper’s exit by either of the two parties involved. Landreau started his professional career at Nantes and also wore the jersey of Paris Saint-Germain before joining Lille in 2009. He has since made over 100 official appearances for the club, winning a Coupe de France and Ligue 1 title in the process.

Deco: Porto can beat Barca

Former Portugal star Deco feels Porto have what it takes to defeat Barcelona should the teams be drawn together in the Champions League. Porto are the Portuguese champions and after their loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, they finished second in Group A which means they could be pitted against Tito Vilanova’s men for the first round of the knockout stages. Deco, who played for both clubs during his career, insisted Porto should not be scared of facing Barca and feels they could even beat the Spanish giants. “Porto is Portugal’s best representative in European competition. If they have to play Barcelona, it will not be a hopeless situation for them,” Deco told Sport. “Of course, it is never easy to play at Camp Nou. Much less when you have to go and get a result. But, Benfica were not intimidated by going there.” Deco enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Porto, winning the Champions League in 2004 before moving to Barcelona where two years later he won the competition for a second time.

Watzke: Hooligans are society´s problem

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke says football riots are a problem of society and has called upon politicians to act. According to German police statistics, acts of violence by fans in the country have increased by 120 percent during the last 12 years, but 00004000 Watzke disagrees with suggestions clubs should take full responsibility for the problem. “The issue is not within football itself,” the 53-year-old told Sky Sport News. “It is a society problem. There are more injuries (occurring due to riots) at Oktoberfest.” “Pyrotechnics are an absolute no-go, because they are simply too dangerous. That is a fact. We are constantly in controversial and constructive discussions with our fans. We try to convince our fans.” Watzke then took time to reflect on Dortmund’s development in the league and commented on the Bundesliga title holders’ goals for the season. “We are satisfied with the draw (against Bayern Munich), because we showed that we can keep up with them,” he said. “However, we should not just talk about Dortmund and Munich. Bayern lost two points of their lead over Bayer Leverkusen. The league is not completely lacking tension.”