Source: Man_City
Mancini calls for City to create history
| Submit Comments| Comments (60)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapTAKE COVER: Roberto Mancini is hit by a Manchester downpourEdin Dzeko last week said he was upset at missing out on a dream move to Juventus in the summer. He made no mention of Manchester City, who were also keen on the Wolfsburg hitman, until they were quoted an unfathomable £50m for him. It was a perplexing thing to say. A look at the two teams which meet at the City of Manchester Stadium in the Europa League tonight would suggest that plumping for the Blues above the troubled bianconeri would be a no-brainer. City are a team on the up, lying fourth in the Premier League, while Juve languish in ninth in Serie A, currently an inferior competition. The Blues have wealth to burn and are driving forward into a future which promises silverware and glory, while Juve are still wafting away the stench created by their implication in the match-fixing scandal which ripped apart Italian football. In terms of a bright future, City are one up on the Old Lady. But the problem with Dzeko was that he was looking at the past. He could see a team which has won 27 Serie A titles against one with two English league crowns, one that has garnered six European trophies to City?s one, and which is renowned throughout the world as the home of global greats such as Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini and Paolo Rossi. It is one thing which has inhibited City?s building plans, and one thing which can only be swept away by success, and sustained success at that. Juve even had the ignominy of being relegated to Serie B for their part in rigging referees just five years ago, but are still seen as one of the biggest clubs on the planet. Asked about such differing perceptions of City and Juventus around Europe, manager Roberto Mancini made it plain that the only way for City to truly achieve parity is by winning trophies. Juve history ?Juve have a big history, so this is normal,? he said. ?The answer to this is that we need to build a big history for this football club.? Maybe that is why tonight?s clash at Eastlands is important beyond the three group points at stake. If Dzeko picks up his morning paper on Friday to read of a City victory over a Juve side over whom he became so starry-eyed, he will start to change his heart, and his mind. The Premier League had edged ahead of Serie A in terms of worldwide appeal and winning European trophies, until Jose Mourinho guided Inter Milan to Champions League success last season. But Mancini, who was a keen Juventus fan as a boy growing up in Jesi, feels the two competitions are similar in status: ?English and Italian teams are on the same level,? he said. ?City and Juventus are both new teams who need time to establish themselves. ?The English championship is better at the moment, as Italy needs to bring back some of the big names, who aren?t there any more.? Juve drafted in 10 new players over the summer, and Mancini puts their indifferent start to the season down to that fact. ?They invested big in the summer, and it is difficult at the moment for Juventus or any Italian club to invest. ?And even though we at City have spent money, we need to build everything. Juve have an important history which can?t be scrubbed out just because they spent a season in Serie B. ?It is important to build, but City have to build all sorts of things, as well as a team. ?This is an important week in terms of giving us an indication of how far we have come, games against Chelsea, Juventus and Newcastle. These are two difficult games coming up.? And Mancini revealed he may have a secret weapon poised to play against Juve tonight. His assistant manager Brian Kidd scored the only goal last time the Blues entertained tonight?s opponents, back in 1976. ?Kiddo has spent all week reminding everyone that he scored,? grinned Mancini. ?Maybe I will put him on the bench!? How do you think the game will go? Have your say.
