Mancini aims for top spot after Inter go through

@tvbp1985 (999)
China
November 22, 2006 7:28pm CST
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini set his sights on top spot In group B after securing qualification for the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. Inter go through to the next stage along with group leaders Bayern Munich, who drew 2-2 at Spartak Moscow, and meet the German side in their final group game in Munich on Dec. 5. "The lads did really well and played as a team," said Mancini. "The important thing is that we qualified, given the kind of group we are in, but now we have done it we want to aim for top spot. "You never know what you are going to get out of the draw for the knockout stage but we have the chance to win in Munich and we will try to do just that." Inter booked their place in the next stage of the competition thanks to a 36th-minute strike from Argentine forward Hernan Crespo. "The team showed they are in good form. It wasn't a straightforward game for us and we couldn't put our chances away but we got the right result," added Mancini. "They knocked it about very well but hardly created any dangerous chances. It is always a bit nervy, unfortunately, when you are just 1-0 up but we could have even got a second goal." Sporting head coach Paulo Bento conceded that his side had not done enough to win the game. "We weren't as strong as we should have been. We struggled at the start and then couldn't create chances. We only started playing after they scored," he said. "We had the better of the game after the break but we lacked the quality and couldn't produce the right finish. Inter deserved the win. "I'm sorry we couldn't reach our goal in this competition."
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