Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists they're not in danger of tumbling out of the automatic Champions League places.

Mancini does not think there is any danger of third-placed Chelsea, four points behind, beating them into runner-up spot, but admits it has been a hard season.

"For a team like us which has won the title, won the FA Cup, won the Charity Shield after 38 years, it's normal the year after as champions could be difficult," the Italian said.

"But probably because we did some mistakes in the summer and we didn't improve our team. But now we have good players and I think we shouldn't do a match like this."