No Real Blue Moon for Champions

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Manchester City have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League following a 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid.

City's slim hopes of qualification going into the game depended upon results elsewhere and the Premier League champions winning their remaining two fixtures.

That looked unlikely when Karim Benzema took advantage of slack marking from Maicon to convert Angel Di Maria's right-wing cross inside 10 minutes.

But City improved in the second half and the equaliser came from the penalty spot when Alvaro Arbeloa was adjudged to have pulled down Sergio Aguero in the box.

Arbeloa was given a red card for a second bookable offence and Aguero got up to convert the spot-kick, setting things up for an exciting finale.

There would be no fairy-tale turnaround for the home side though and they struggled to create another chance as Real held on to ensure their own passage into the last 16.

Jose Mourinho's men had appeared in the mood to wrap things up quickly as they peppered the City goal early on and Sami Khedira should have added to the lead soon after the opener.

The Germany international danced past two challenges but then delayed his shot and Joe Hart came off his line to smother the ball at the midfielder's feet.

City once again seemed uncomfortable with their 3-5-2 formation and Roberto Mancini switched to a back-four midway through the first half.

That produced a more upbeat performance and the home side carried that into their second-half display, nearly finding an equaliser just after the hour-mark when Iker Casillas denied Aguero from close range.

That equaliser did come in the end but it was not enough for City and they go out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second consecutive season.

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Tevezzzzzz Milan Talks Confirmed

Carlos Tevez's representatives held a meeting with AC Milan on Thursday over a prospective move from Manchester City in January, but no deal has been struck yet as Juventus too are interested in signing the striker.

Reports have stated that Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian flew to Milan on Thursday to hold preliminary discussions with Milan officials and met with Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani.

It is being reported that the Italian champions will initially sign the 27-year-old on loan for the rest of the season and would retain the option to make the deal permanent thereafter.

Joorabchian has now validated those claims and has confirmed that he indeed discussed a possible move with Milan but refused to divulge anything more.

"I talked to Carlos and he would be happy to come to Italy," he told Sky Sport Italia. "AC Milan or Juventus?

"We talked with AC Milan, the big Italian clubs are to our liking. Tevez wants to play in a big club."

FIFA agent Giuseppe Riso, who is accompanying Joorabchian, has disclosed that Juventus too have shown a "real" interest in the former Manchester United star.

"Today we were supposed to hold a meeting with Juventus but it has been postponed," he toldCalciogp.it.

"We will update in the coming days, there will be time to talk.

"I can confirm that the interest ofJuventus for Tevez is real, as well as that of other top clubs worldwide."

Initial stage

When asked about Thursday's meeting with Milan, Riso stated: "We are still at a preliminary stage.

"I can't make predictions, but to start a negotiation some bases must be satisfied.

"The premises are good, but there is still a long way to go before an agreement can be reached."

Tevez has been ostracised from Roberto Mancini's Man City squad following his refusal to warm up in a UEFA Champions League Group A clash against Bayern Munich in Germany in September.

The Argentina international was subsequently fined two weeks' wages and risked further sanctions recently after returning to Argentina without being granted the club's permission.

Tevez Eto'o Inter Swap Fails

Tevez in Copa America action

Roberto Mancini plans to keep Carlos Tevez after seeing a proposed swap deal involving Samuel Eto'o come to nothing.

The future of Manchester City's talismanic skipper has been a subject of contention for some time, with a transfer request having been handed in by the Argentine last season.

It was eventually retracted, but speculation suggesting Tevez will soon be on his way out of Eastlands has continued to rage.

A switch to Italy has been widely touted, with Inter Milan admitting to holding an interest in the fiery South American.

City have done all they can to persuade Tevez to stay, but could be tempted into a deal if the conditions are right.

An exchange for Inter frontman Eto'o would have been acceptable to the Blues, as they would not have been left short in the goalscoring department.

Gridlock

Inter, though, are reluctant to part with the Cameroonian hit-man, even if Tevez could be drafted in as a replacement.

With the situation at gridlock, Mancini admits he is now expecting Tevez to stick around at City for the forthcoming campaign.

"Tevez will stay," said the Italian tactician.

"He is a fantastic player.

"There was talk of an exchange with Eto'o, but Inter did not want to sell."