Manchester City vs Bayern Munich preview - No regrets for Boateng

Posted Wednesday, December 07, 2011 by PA

Former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng has no regrets about leaving the club in the summer ahead of his return with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Boateng spent just a season with City before returning to his native Germany in a #12.8million deal.

Since then, City have gone on to sweep almost all before them in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Although this year's Champions League campaign has been a difficult experience, City have ambitions to succeed in similar fashion in European competition but Boateng does not rue a missed opportunity.

The 23-year-old said: "Obviously I'm very happy at Bayern.

"I wouldn't say I regret anything about last season at City. I made a lot of friends and it was a good experience for me."

Bayern, who top Group A and have already qualified for the knockout stage, can eliminate City from the Champions League by avoiding defeat on Wednesday.

City must win and hope Villarreal can secure at least a draw against Napoli to reach the last 16.

Bayern have travelled without winger Arjen Robben and midfielder Toni Kroos, who are both suffering from flu. Forwards Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez have also been ill but coach Jupp Heynckes is hopeful both will be fit to play.

And Heynckes insists there is no question of his team easing off.

He said: "Wednesday's a big match between the leaders of their respective leagues - which is always a matter of prestige.

"Then there's the question of the win bonus and the UEFA ratings too, so it's an important match for Bayern."

Opposite number Roberto Mancini has been realistic about his side's Champions League prospects since they were beaten at Napoli's San Paolo Stadium a fortnight ago.

He is well aware they could drop into the Europa League and is prepared to put the campaign down to experience, but he is not giving up hope and thinks City could still be a threat.

He said: "After the draw we knew that it would be a difficult group and I think we made some mistakes in this group.

"But we have another game - never say never. I think we should think only of beating Bayern Munich.

"Afterwards, if we have a good result from Villarreal, it would be good.

"I think that if we go through we will be a problem for the other teams.

"If we win and Napoli don't beat Villarreal, for us it will be an important moment.

"I think we are better than Napoli as a team but Napoli beat us in Naples and if they win in Villarreal they deserve to go through.

"We should accept that."

Mancini intends to speak to Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge about his persistent sniping at the English club.

Rummenigge has been outspoken in his criticism of City and their rapid, expensively-funded ascent through the ranks of European football.

The Germany legend has now said City, who recently announced annual losses of #194.9million, should be excluded from European competition if they do not conform to UEFA's new Financial Fair Play rules.

Mancini said: "I don't understand Rummenigge's behaviour against Manchester City.

"For six months he talks against us every time for Financial Fair Play and he continues to say he hopes Napoli go through to the second stage.

"I don't know what's different with us. I think Manchester City are working for this FFP for the next two years.

"But I don't understand what happening with Rummenigge. I will ask him."