Last Updated: Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:19
Pablo Zabaleta has admitted Manchester City were "angry" at decisions that he believes cost them a vital Euro win over Ajax.
The Premier League champions look to be heading out of the Champions League at the group stage for the second successive season after a damaging 2-2 draw with the Dutch champions at the Etihad Stadium.
However, they battled back from 2-0 down early on and will feel they should have had a penalty in the final seconds while a goal was also wrongly chalked off for offside.
Argentinian Zabaleta feels encouragement can be taken from the way City hit back to almost snatch a much-needed Group D win but he admits the players were not happy with the officials.
He said: "One of the positive points was that the team showed a very good spirit. It is not easy. At the start of the game we conceded two goals and the team did well. We showed spirit, tried to get back.
"It was really important for us to get three points and we went to the referee to see why. Everybody was angry. Roberto (Mancini) asked the referee why he didn't give the penalty or why there was a flag after the goal.
"I think when the manager can see you drop two points in a crucial game in the Champions League - he is very passionate."
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