MANCHESTER — Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini reserved pointed criticism for Samir Nasri and Mario Balotelli after his side's damaging derby defeat by Manchester United. City went down 3-2 in injury time at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Robin van Persie's 92nd-minute free-kick bringing United victory after Pablo Zabaleta looked to have claimed a share of the spoils with a late equalizer. Van Persie's free-kick took a telling deflection off Nasri, who appeared to shy away as the ball arrowed toward him, while Balotelli stormed straight down the tunnel after being substituted in the 52nd minute. Carlos Tevez, Balotelli's replacement, stepped out of the defensive wall as van Persie prepared to strike his decisive set-piece, but Mancini dismissed suggestions he had instructed the Argentine to move. “It was a dangerous free-kick,” said the Italian. “I don't know why (Tevez left the wall), but we made a mistake there.” Tevez's departure from the wall left City with only three players to face van Persie's shot, but Mancini said Nasri's behavior was more baffling. “In the last free-kick, we put only three players there,” he said. “Were there three? We had two and a half. We didn't cover very well.” He added: “We dominated the second half, but we can't concede a goal like this. If it hits you in the face, it hits you in the face. “In the history of football, there are teams who didn't win championships for this reason. I'm really upset we didn't win this game.” Mancini was also less than impressed with the display of Balotelli, who came back into the starting XI after starting City's previous two games on the bench, only to leave the fray before the hour with little to show for his efforts. “I love Mario like a guy, and as a player, but I think it's important for him to start to think about his job if he wants to play well,” said Mancini. Man City apologizes for derby coin attack Manchester City has apologized to Rio Ferdinand after the Manchester United defender was struck by a coin as he celebrated his side's 3-2 win in Sunday's Manchester derby. The English center-back was left with blood pouring from his face after being hit by a missile apparently thrown from the crowd in the aftermath of Robin van Persie's injury-time winner for United at the Etihad Stadium. Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation into the incident and nine people have been charged. — Agencies
