Future News: Winning the Champions League is overrated insists Roberto Mancini

After an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Ajax that leaves Manchester City with just one point after three Champions League group stage matches, manager Roberto Mancini has sensationally claimed that winning the competition is "overrated."

"Anyone who really knows football knows that the Champions League isn't important," Mancini told reporters while chewing gum in a loud and dismissive manner. "It's all about who has less money and does not reflect the modern game at all. Winning it probably feels terrible. It's overrated. Like green tea. And scoring goals."

Though Mancini has won domestic cups and league titles with Sampdoria, Lazio, Inter and Man City, he has never guided any club beyond the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Mancini's latest disappointment in the competition came against a side that cost just 3.5 million to assemble -- 171.5 million less than his own. Which he says is just the problem.

"Who wants a tournament where better tactics and actually trying to defend on set pieces is rewarded? And where clubs aren't instantly successful after spending hundreds of millions of pounds? It's just not fair. Why should I care about beating a club from a place I've never heard of like 'Amsterdam' or 'Borussia'? I shouldn't and I don't."

Man City currently sit at the bottom of Group D behind Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Ajax. But as Mancini's frustration grows, he's still looking ahead and remains hopeful about the future.

"I just can't wait until we're back in the Europa League," he sighed. "Now that's a football tournament that matters."