Roberto Mancini backs Chelsea's Premier League title bid
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has backed Chelsea's bid to defend their Premier League title from last season, claiming that the other title contenders will have to fight for second place.
Before losing to Liverpool on Sunday, 7 November, Chelsea opened the season in convincing form, winning eight of their first ten fixtures.
Mancini, who arrived at City in December 2009, has previously said that he would view a finish outside the top four teams in the league as a failure for City, implying that his ambition is to earn his club its first ever entry into the Champions League.
"I think that the Premier League is very long, very difficult,” the Italian told reporters ahead of his team's derby against Manchester United on Wednesday, 10 November. "It is important for us to stay in the group for second and third position. I think
Chelsea will win the Premier League, but all the other teams that are near them can try. In my opinion, Chelsea is better than the other teams. But in football sometimes the winner is not the best team. Our target must be the Champions League."
Confident against United despite two losses
Despite suffering three successive defeats before their victory over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, 7 November, Mancini said that City are confident going into the game against United.
Since his arrival, Mancini has faced Sir Alex Ferguson's team twice in the league without claiming any points.
"I think that they know that we are a strong team. The situation has changed," said Mancini, who was confident going into the encounter. "We have respect for United, and respect for Fergie because he's the top manager in the world. But we can be better than
them always now."
After the derby, City host Birmingham City at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, 13 November.
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