Boss lines up big guns against Juventus

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Roberto Mancini is ready to send out his strongest side against Serie A giants Juventus even though City face a tough Premier League clash with Newcastle just three days later.

Blues boss Mancini fielded six youngsters in the team knocked out of the Carling Cup at West Brom a week ago before reinstating his senior stars to inflict leaders Chelsea's first League defeat on Saturday.

But he expects to have Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards back from injury aand available to bolster his squad for tomorrow night's chance to claim a second successive Europa League group victory.

City's manager said: "Because we play the Europa League on Thursday nights we have only two days and two nights to recover, but I always put out the strongest team that I can.

"It was different in the Carling Cup, but now I can change two or three players. I've got more options. But I always want to put the best team on the pitch. I hope we can do a good job against Juventus and Newcastle."

Jerome Boateng made his belated debut as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Chelsea but the Germany defender is again likely to be on the bench. "I don't think he will be ready to play all the game," said Mancini.

Boyhood Juventus fan Mancini will afford his old heroes respect while knowing that success over the visitors, on the back of the win in Salzburg, would put City in the driving seat for a place in the knockout stages.

He said: "Juve are a strong team. They have signed a lot of players this year and like us are working every day to improve. They have been one of the top clubs in the world for years, and it will be a difficult game.

"If we win we have six points, and it is important that we go through from the group stage, but when you think that you have done the hard work with two wins, then that is when you can make a mistake.

"I played against Juve all my life, and supported them as a young guy, but it is not a special game for me. I want it to become a habit for us to be playing Italian squads, hopefully in the Champions League next year."

And he insisted his nationality - and the strong Italian presence on his coaching staff - will not unduly benefit City. He smiled: "Yes, I know Juventus very well, but I also know very well Wolverhampton!"

mcfc.co.uk

[dazby]

Good article that. Mancio funny.

[13021J]

I'm hoping we see a strong line up tonight hopefully Ade can show the form DH has been on about.

[sandman]

-----------------Hart--------------------

Boateng—Toure—Kompany—Zabaleta

----------------Vieira-------------------

--------Yaya-------------Barry---------

Johnson-------Tevez--------------Silva


Sub On;

Richards (For Boateng)

Milner (For Johnson or Silva)

[Lees Alter Ego]

Not really relevant or that interesting but just been looking at Juves squad and they have 27 players out on loan. Seems a ridiculous amount.

They also have Alex Manninger.

Thanks

[brite blu sky]

Looking forward just to seeing who will start tonight.
Nige had a knock from the weekend and may be left to rest. Just hope PV doesn't get put in to replace him.

I'd love to see Ade get the nod along with Carlito..

Given/Hart
Boateng - Kolo - Vinnie - Zabba
Yaya - Barry
AJ - Tevez - Silva
Ade

[Kladze]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

[brite blu sky]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

I dont trust anything he says ;)

Ultimately we are pretty strong as we have so many flexible players. Richards, Boyata and Zabba could all play RB.

Lescott could be at LB also. I think it is becoming almost impossible to second guess the lineups Mancini is going to field.. more so in Midfield obviously. What a great state of affairs to be in!

[brite blu sky]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

Hmm.. if that is the case Doug then Bob is getting close to 'what it looks like' he wants the set up to be, imo

Zabba played his part well v Chelsea and imo was one of the reasons they struggled to get any wing play on his side. So with Jerome on the other side, even if not 100% still gives us better balance and a ball player to boot.

Hmmm, i like this. If Ade gets a bit of mojo on we could very much take Juve to the cleaners in a reserved professional type of way.

[Kladze]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

Oh fair enough :-)

[patrickblue]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

Sorry if I'm being a bit dense here, but who the f**k is BBS?

[Scatman]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

Sorry if I'm being a bit dense here, but who the f**k is BBS?

He was responding to the team suggestion put forward by Brite Blue Sky

[patrickblue]

I think Mancini's already said that Boateng isn't ready for a full game BBS ?

If the team that he worked with yesterday is anything to go by Boateng will play and BBS is very close.Just throw in Nigel for AJ and it's spot on!

Sorry if I'm being a bit dense here, but who the f**k is BBS?

He was responding to the team suggestion put forward by Brite Blue Sky

Doh, thanks SM. It was the bit highlighted that threw me.

[failsworthblue]

Pity he picked the wrong team

Why Toure and Vieira against an ageing team?, did he not learn the lesson from Blackburn?

Played into Juve hands and we nearly lost.

Very poor by Mancini.

Sets up an absolute must win against Posnan at home who are going to be the dark horses in this group.

Not impressed!!

[dazby]

Rubbish. Totally the game to play Vieira and rest someone else.

[Grob]

Pity he picked the wrong team

Why Toure and Vieira against an ageing team?, did he not learn the lesson from Blackburn?

Played into Juve hands and we nearly lost.

Very poor by Mancini.

Sets up an absolute must win against Posnan at home who are going to be the dark horses in this group.

Not impressed!!

Picking Vieria at all is a ridiculous thing to do.

The whole thing was a disjointed mess and the pattern was never changed once. Luckily we had an excellent piece of vision from Yaya and a great run from Jonno to save us.

Still, defensivly we're doing alright.

[the_georgian_genius]

Rubbish. Totally the game to play Vieira and rest someone else.

Excatly. Whats the point in having a squad if we aren't going to play the squad players in games like this? There are 6 games in the group, all are winnable and we need 10 points. We cannot play our best 11 every week otherwise we will be fucked by Feb and a whole season ruined.

[Grob]

Rubbish. Totally the game to play Vieira and rest someone else.

Excatly. Whats the point in having a squad if we aren't going to play the squad players in games like this? There are 6 games in the group, all are winnable and we need 10 points. We cannot play our best 11 every week otherwise we will be fucked by Feb and a whole season ruined.

Im all for using the squad, but Vieria is a waste if a shirt for reasons described elsewhere.

Im sure you will agree.

[the_georgian_genius]

Rubbish. Totally the game to play Vieira and rest someone else.

Excatly. Whats the point in having a squad if we aren't going to play the squad players in games like this? There are 6 games in the group, all are winnable and we need 10 points. We cannot play our best 11 every week otherwise we will be fucked by Feb and a whole season ruined.

Im all for using the squad, but Vieria is a waste if a shirt for reasons described elsewhere.

Im sure you will agree.

Not at all, i think he does a decent job. I wouldn't play him in the top games but for 15-20 games he is better than anyone i can think of who will come in, do a job and be happy with that role.