Joleon Lescott wants Manchester City to use their exit from the Champions League as motivation to come back and do better next season.
Despite beating Bayern Munich at home, City slipped into the Europa League as Napoli picked up three points against Villarreal to secure the runners-up spot in Group A.
And despite missing out on a chance to impress in Europe’s premier club competition, Lescott is still hopeful that City can succeed in the second tier tournament.
Lescott told SkySports: “We haven’t focused on our Premier League form after Champions League games, we have just taken each game as it comes.
“There is importance in every game we play and we are still in four competitions.
“Obviously with the Champions League, it would have been nice to qualify, but the Europa League would still sit comfortably on the mantelpiece.
“We weren’t a seeded team and we knew we were going to get a tough group.
“If you look on paper Napoli are a good team and Bayern are there every year. We knew it would be tough to qualify.
“We have got a high number of players who have played in the Champions League before but, as a unit, it was our first time.
“If we can gain from this experience I am sure that when next year comes around we will be better prepared.”
Manchester City’s next game is against Chelsea on Monday night and Lescott is aware of the enormity of the tie, which could see City pull 13 points clear of Andre Villas-Boas’ side before the busy festive period
“It is a massive game.” Lescott added. “They are on the back of two good results and we are doing well ourselves.
“It is all there for an entertaining game.”