Lech Poznan v Manchester City: Preview

04 November 2010 11:57
Jose Maria Bakero will take charge of his first game as Lech Poznan coach against big-spending Manchester City in the Europa League on Thursday. Bakero takes over after Jacek Zielinski was sacked earlier this week due to disappointing results in the Polish league.

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Poznan are currently 14th in the league, but have been more successful in Europa League Group A where they lie second, three points behind Thursday`s opponents who are competing for the Barclays Premier League title domestically.

"Recent events have not been usual for us," said Poznan chairman Andrzej Kadzinski.

"We want our club to be present in European cups and we also want our supporters to be happy with the club's situation.

"Our league position is not good. That is why the board has made the decision to appoint Jose Maria Bakero as the first team's coach."

Bakero added: "I want to thank the board and the chairman for their trust in me.

"Lech is one of the most important clubs in Poland. I also want to thank the previous coach for leading the team to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

"I want to take advantage of the team's strong points and improve elements that needs some changes. We want to win in every match."

Roberto Mancini's side won the previous fixture between the sides 3-1, but the Italian manager is under pressure at home following back-to-back defeats in the Barclays Premier League against Arsenal and Wolves.

However, midfielder James Milner has denied reports of disharmony in the ranks, insisting the players are fully behind each other and Mancini.

"When we see nonsense written in the papers it pulls us closer together," Milner said.

"When it seems like the whole world is against you, that is when you pull together.

"These things will make us stronger as a football club. You go through times when things aren't quite right and it's important to keep things right off the field.

"I've been at Newcastle and Leeds where the press seemed to be outside the training ground whenever you drove in. We can't control what's off the field, we can only control results."

With Carlos Tevez still missing, Mario Balotelli could start, but Mancini is without Yaya and Kolo Toure. Aleksandar Kolarov could make the bench after longstanding ankle trouble.

Source: DSG