EPL News: Mancini says City are competing with United for second place in the English Premier League
Roberto Mancini has come out in defiant mood ahead of his team’s clash against their local rivals Manchester United as the Italian as suggested that Red Devils and Blues are competing with each other for a 2nd place
spot in the English Premier League. Manchester City are set to face off against Manchester United on Wednesday night in what is expected to be a bruising encounter for both the sides.
Mancini spoke in one of his press conferences about the title race and the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs. He admitted during his interview that it is likely that Chelsea might win the league after all due to their superior squad
strength and team chemistry. He said, "I think Chelsea will win the Premier League as they are better than the other teams. But all the other sides that are near them can try because the season is long and difficult. We must play a lot of games. Our target
must be the Champions League. It is important we are near Chelsea and Manchester United in January and February. I think we can have a chance. We must take it game to game. For the moment we must only think of United."
Manchester City themselves have been on a resurgent rise recently as they won their last league encounter against West Bromwich Albion by two goals to nil. Before their win against West Brom, City had lost two consecutive matches to Arsenal
and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both Manchester United and Manchester City faced each other last season in semi-finals of the Carling Cup where United won out in the end thanks to a last minute goal from Wayne Rooney.
Mancini remarked during his interview that a win against Manchester United would do City a world of good, "A victory before you play United is important for the players and for all of us. They know now we are a strong team. The situation
has changed. We have respect for them; we have respect for Sir Alex Ferguson, because he is the top manager in the world. But we are getting better. It will be a good game.”
Commenting on the previous three meetings between both the Manchester clubs, Roberto Mancini said, "In the last three of four derbies City have played at the same level as United but have lost late in the game. This season we are a different
team. They are a strong team who are ready to play until the last second. They won against Wolves like that. They have a strong mentality because they have won a lot of trophies."
City will be buoyant at the fact that Manchester United have a lot of injury concerns heading into the derby matchup but Manchester City will be without their star striker Mario Balotelli who was sent off against West Brom at the weekend
after scoring both of Manchester City’s goals in the match. Emmanuel Adebayor is also scheduled to miss the match due to a calf problem. City will most probably start with Carlos Tevez and Jo in attack however in the end it all depends on Mancini’s tactics
for the match.
David Silva played for City at the weekend against West Bromwich Albion. He also spoke about his time in England with Manchester City to the press as he said, "When I left Spain everything was different - the weather, the people and the
football. I have adapted quickly and I feel at home and I think it's now showing through in my football. Things couldn't be going better and the supporters have been fantastic with me. If I can repay them by helping us beat United and then win some trophies,
I'll be very happy.”
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