New boys Man City target aristocrats Bayern

Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini insists he has brought his side to Bavaria to take home three points and prove his side belong amongst European football’s aristocrats in the Champions League.

City’s Italian coach was full of praise for four-time European champions Munich, who last won the Champions League in 2001 and described the Bavarian giants as ‘part of football history’ and one of the top sides in Europe.

City are level at the top of England’s Premier League with neighbours Manchester United and although this is their debut Champions League campaign, Mancini said they can break Bayern’s nine-match winning-streak.

“It is fantastic to play against a club like Bayern, but we do not want to lose the game, that is for sure, We want to win it,” said Mancini as his team prepare for their second Champions League game.

“We have to improve a lot.

“We are a good team already, but if we want to become a side like Bayern, to become part of the history of football, we have to learn a lot, we have just played one game in the Champions League.”

Mancini’s team showed some first-night nerves when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli in their opening Group A match a fortnight ago, while Bayern opened their Euro campaign with a 2-0 win at Villarreal.

Bayern are looking for a second straight win to take control of the group, but Mancini has plenty of fire-power to call up with strikers Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko just two of the names in form.

Former Inter Milan star Mario Balotelli came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Everton last Saturday while Argentina’s Sergio Aguero has already bagged a Premier League hat-trick this season leaving Mancini with an embarrassment of riches up front.

“I have four fantastic strikers and I can’t play them all, Mario played against Everton, Carlos will probably get a chance, but I am sure I have a lot of good guys to choose from and they all are in a good shape,” he said.

Dzeko, who is back in Germany having joined City from 2009 Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, says games like this are what lured him to Manchester.

“It’s not about money, it’s about playing against Bayern, who are one of the best teams in the world, and that’s why I came to Manchester City.

“The goal is to come back here (and play in the final).”

Bayern have not conceded a goal since August 7, but Dzeko has warm memories of playing Munich, having scored twice for Wolves in a 5-1 hammering of Munich in Wolfsburg in April 2009.

“No team is unbeatable and I think although they are playing very well at the moment and they have won their last nine games, we are playing very well and the game will be a very interesting game for the fans,” he said.

“There is still five games left to play, we don’t have to win this game, but we want to win, of course, it won’t be easy.”
 

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