MANCHESTER City boss Roberto Mancini vowed to return stronger next year after his side's maiden Champions League campaign ended at the group stage last night.

City produced their best European performance of the season as they overcame an albeit under-strength Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium but it was not enough to progress from Group A.

Napoli's 2-0 win at Villarreal rendered the result meaningless and condemned City to the Europa League, but Mancini took the setback in his stride.

As Premier League leaders and title favourites, City seem highly likely to qualify again next year and Mancini said: "It is my opinion that we need to improve as a squad to play better in the Champions League than this year.

"For us it will be important to improve in the next six months in the Premier League and try to win the Europa League.

"Then next year we can do better in the Champions League.

"It was our first time in the Champions League and we were in the worst group.

"It was difficult but we can't change it now. Many congratulations to Napoli."

Mancini still felt his team had given a good account of themselves in their first elite European outing by winning three of their games.

He said: "Usually with 10 points, teams always go through -- or 99 per cent. But in this group it was not enough."

City knew they had to take the game to Bayern and the sight of stars such as Manuel Neuer, Frank Ribery, Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Philipp Lahm on the Germans' bench offered encouragement.

Lead

Having already qualified, Bayern eased up and City dominated, taking the lead with a fine David Silva strike after 36 minutes.

It was what the hosts deserved after a number of good chances, including a Sergio Aguero header over and a disallowed Silva free-kick.

Yaya Toure hit the second with 52 minutes gone after starting a slick move and receiving the ball back via Aguero and Edin Dzeko to poke home.

Optimism abounded at that point as Napoli were still being held, but that soon changed and the final 25 minutes were played out in a subdued atmosphere after the news had filtered through that the Italians had twice found the net in Spain.

Mancini admitted winning the Europa League might not have seemed much of a consolation last night but he thinks that might change in the months ahead.

He said: "For Manchester City, it is an important trophy.

"We need to win more trophies, if possible.

"I can understand at this moment thinking it is not -- it is not the Champions League.

"But for us it will be important if we can get to the final. For Manchester City that would be good."

- Andy Hampson