Platt: Mancini 'has fire in him'

Manchester City assistant boss David Platt claims manager Roberto Mancini has always had a bit of "fire" inside him.

Platt has defended Mancini over the Italian's outburst at the end of Tuesday's controversial Champions League draw with Ajax at the Etihad Stadium, claiming the incident has been exaggerated. Mancini confronted the referee after City had a late goal disallowed and were denied a penalty, and also clashed with a cameraman who filmed his on-pitch rant.

First-team coach Platt, who played alongside Mancini at Sampdoria, said: "He has always been like that - as a player he was completely like that. Monday to Friday he was fine but once he is on a pitch, if things don't go well for him - he has this fire in him. That is what he believes in."

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