City’s Euro spot hit by tame draw
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OUTGOING Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini strived to put on a brave face after his team’s chances of Champions League qualification were compromised by a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Sunday’s result at the Etihad Stadium means that City can only finish in the top four if Manchester United drops points in its two final games or if Arsenal loses at home to bottom club Aston Villa on the final day.
Dropping down to the Europa League would represent a wretched legacy for Pellegrini, who led City to the Champions League semifinals for the first time this season.
“We have not finished the season,” he said. “Of course if you don’t depend just on what you can do it is more difficult, but we will see after Tuesday what will happen between Manchester United and West Ham. I think we deserve to be in the Champions League next year because we have had 37 games in the spot of Champions (League), so I hope that we are not going to lose that spot in the last game.”
Pellegrini gives way to Pep Guardiola next season.
In Italy, Napoli won 2-1 at Torino to boost its chances of qualifying directly to the Champions League, while Roma celebrated Francesco Totti’s 600th Serie A appearance with a 3-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday.
Gonzalo Higuain scored his 33rd goal of the season as Napoli moved back into second spot, restoring its two-point advantage over Roma. Its tally of 79 points is the highest in the club’s history.
In Spain, the league title race will go down to the final round, with rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid in contention. Barcelona routed city rival Espanyol 5-0 to increase its lead going into next weekend, when another victory will secure the Catalan club its second consecutive title.
Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-2, while Atletico Madrid was stunned 1-2 by relegated side Levante.
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