City manager Manuel Pellegrini reiterated the importance of having the same level of dominance in both the competitions, ahead of his team’s Group D clash against Juventus on Wednesday. “It’s not our target – our target is to try and win the final – but we must go step by step because we also have domestic competition”. There’s no point in looking to get to a certain point and then thinking, “it doesn’t really matter now”. We’ve got great owners, we have invested well, we have been given every tool required to achieve success in Europe.
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In terms of Juventus team news former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has been passed fit but strikers Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are doubtful and will be assessed.
“It’s important for the confidence of our supporters and it’s important for us to also put in a strong performance”. “It has taken a little longer than we thought”.
However, Juventus has hit a slump in the Champions League recently.
The teams last played in September and Juventus won the game 1 – 2.
“But at this moment we’re qualified for the next stage and tomorrow they need to at least not lose to qualify”. That’s obvious, I don’t mean it took us a long time to realise that but it can creep up on you pretty quickly. “Hopefully, we are showing that we are learning by getting into the position we’re in”.
And yet, Aguero was present for the Tottenham and Liverpool thrashings, while Silva and Kompany played in the home game against Juventus.
The decisions to leave defender Nicolas Otamendi and midfield lynchpin Fernandinho on the bench after travelling back from World Cup qualifying action in South America backfired on Pellegrini, as Liverpool overran his team in central areas with City centre-backs Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala turning in shambolic displays.
“It won’t change anything for us”, said Marchisio. “We didn’t play well and Liverpool played well”.
“In the last few Champions Leagues we have, maybe, not had the experience”.
The Italy global said: “We know it is not going to be easy”. Games turn out differently, especially in the Champions League, and you need a back-up plan at times.
“The first times were hard, the nerves, the expectations, but now most of us have enough experience”.
“An important number of players have injuries in this part of the season and we have to play so many games”. On playing his 553rd game for the club, Buffon will surpass Gaetano Scirea and trail only Alessandro Del Piero, with 705 matches to his name. I don’t envisage too many goals in this one as The Old Lady have had eight of nine at home see under 2.5 backers paid out.
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Hart has produced some of his best performances on the biggest stage. He said he felt well before that game in Buenos Aires, but injuries are unpredictable.
