Toure: Juventus still favourites
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has said that Juventus remain the favourites to win Group A of the Europa League, despite the Italian team's 3–3 draw against Polish team Lech Poznan on Thursday.
Juventus fought to earn a 3–2 lead over the Polish champions, but Artjoms Rudnevs completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, causing the Italians to drop two points in the first game of the group stage.
"I still feel Juventus are the favourites," Toure said. "They are a very big team and for that reason alone they deserve some respect."
The Ivorian, who transferred to Roberto Mancini's team from Barcelona during the summer, will not be playing in the Champions League this season. But Toure said that even in Europe's second tournament, the quality of football is high enough to challenge
any team.
"When you see a team with that kind of standing drawing at home against one like Poznan, it makes you realise football these days is not so easy."
City will face Juventus when the Italians visit the Reebok Stadium on September 30. A victory in that game would put the English side in a perfect position to win the group.
"We need to keep our concentration and work hard in training because that game is very important for us, if only because it is our first at home in this competition."
Premier League also important
The Premier League is another inescapable priority for Mancini's team this season, and City will have to improve on their form to date if they have any realistic hopes of earning a Champions League place for next season.
After a stunning victory over Liverpool followed up their opening draw against Tottenham, City have lost to Sunderland and drew to Blackburn. The team is currently eighth on the League table, with five points. Toure and his teammates travel to face Wigan
on Sunday.
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